Dave Rennie names his All Blacks squad to take on the Stormers

All Blacks Matchday 23 vs. DHL Stormers

#	Player	Position	Super Rugby Club	Test Caps
1	George Bower	Loosehead Prop	Crusaders	26
2	Samisoni Taukei’aho	Hooker	Chiefs	44
3	Pasilio Tosi	Tighthead Prop	Hurricanes	17
4	Fabian Holland	Lock	Highlanders	12
5	Patrick Tuipulotu (C)	Lock	Blues	57
6	Simon Parker	Blindside Flanker	Chiefs	8
7	Peter Lakai	Openside Flanker	Hurricanes	10
8	Wallace Sititi	Number 8	Chiefs	21
9	Cortez Ratima	Scrum-half	Chiefs	24
10	Beauden Barrett	Fly-half	Blues	144
11	Rieko Ioane	Left Wing	Blues	88
12	Anton Lienert-Brown	Inside Centre	Chiefs	90
13	Billy Proctor	Outside Centre	Hurricanes	13
14	Leroy Carter	Right Wing	Chiefs	7
15	Josh Moorby	Fullback	Hurricanes	2
16	Asafo Aumua	Hooker	Hurricanes	22
17	Ollie Norris	Loosehead Prop	Chiefs	3
18	Siale Lauaki*	Tighthead Prop	Hurricanes	0 (Uncapped)
19	Sam Darry	Lock	Blues	10
20	Ethan Blackadder	Loose Forward	Crusaders	14
21	Kyle Preston	Scrum-half	Crusaders	1
22	Josh Jacomb*	Fly-half / Back	Chiefs	0 (Uncapped)
23	Caleb Clarke	Wing	Blues	27

*Denotes potential All Blacks debut.

Tactical Analysis: How Rennie’s Selection Prepares the All Blacks for the Springboks

As the All Blacks begin their South African tour against the DHL Stormers at DHL Stadium in Cape Town, Head Coach Dave Rennie has crafted a 23-man team selection designed with dual objectives: stress-testing squad depth in brutal conditions and establishing tactical answers to Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks.

Facing a United Rugby Championship semi-finalist on South African soil offers a stress-test environment that simulated Test-match pressure. Rennie’s selection blends seasoned international stalwarts with burgeoning talents, creating an ideal proving ground.

“They are a big, physical side with a mix of talented youngsters and Springboks, so we are preparing for a real war of attrition.” — Dave Rennie, All Blacks Head Coach

1. Set-Piece Conditioning and Heavy-Weight Tight Five Testing

Defeating South Africa requires holding the line at scrum time and neutralizing the maul. Rennie has picked a starting front five built specifically to withstand heavy collision forces:

• Front Row Anchors: George Bower and Pasilio Tosi flank hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho. Taukei’aho’s low center of gravity and ball-carrying power are crucial for generating gainline momentum. Tosi’s immense size at tighthead gives Rennie a direct look at whether he can anchor an All Black scrum against heavy South African looseheads.
• Second-Row Enforcers: Matchday captain Patrick Tuipulotu brings 57 caps of physical authority, paired alongside young giant Fabian Holland (12 caps). Holland’s length and lineout calling will be put under intense scrutiny by a Stormers pack conditioned to pressure aerial supply.

2. Breakdown Speed & Backrow Dynamic

South Africa’s defensive system relies heavily on dominant tackles and turnover threats at the breakdown. Rennie has selected a mobility-driven backrow:

• Simon Parker (6), Peter Lakai (7), and Wallace Sititi (8) form an energetic tri-pack.
• Lakai and Sititi provide dynamic ground coverage and ball-handling skill, enabling the All Blacks to play at a pace designed to tire bulkier South African forwards.
• Having Ethan Blackadder coming off the bench provides an additional relentless defensive edge for the second-half grind.

3. Tactical Kicking and Dual-Playmaker Architecture

Against the Springboks’ relentless rush defense, kick-space execution and midfield distribution are non-negotiable.

      [9] Cortez Ratima  <—>  [10] Beauden Barrett

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                     [12] Anton Lienert-Brown

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                        [13] Billy Proctor

• Veteran Spine: With Beauden Barrett (144 caps) at fly-half and Anton Lienert-Brown (90 caps) at inside centre, Rennie inserts experienced decision-makers to steer younger backs like Cortez Ratima, Leroy Carter, and Josh Moorby under crowd pressure.
• Field Position Strategy: Barrett’s tactical kicking out of hand will test the Stormers’ backfield coverage, establishing the kicking blueprint the All Blacks will rely on to pin South Africa deep in their own half during the upcoming Test series.

4. Bench Impact and Debutante Integration

The Springboks are famous for their “Bomb Squad” bench strategy. Rennie is actively searching for impact reserves capable of matching that late-game intensity:

• Front Row Cover: Explosive hooker Asafo Aumua and uncapped prop Siale Lauaki provide raw power late in the game.
• Backline Versatility: Uncapped Chief playmaker Josh Jacomb gets a vital opportunity to gain experience in high-pressure execution alongside power runner Caleb Clarke on the bench.

Final Verdict

This fixture against the Stormers is far more than a warm-up—it is a live tactical laboratory. By placing rising talent alongside experienced leadership in Cape Town, Dave Rennie will gather key data on who can handle South African physicality, enabling him to finalize his starting lineup for the first Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park.