All Blacks bench veteran hooker Taylor ahead of final Springboks test

The 35‑year‑old forward Taylor was omitted from the matchday 23 for the second test against the Springboks in Cape Town. After a series of errant line‑out throws that were intercepted, he was substituted shortly after half‑time for Asafo Aumua, who delivered a cleaner set‑piece performance. The change leaves the veteran with just one appearance in the six‑test tour so far.

Line‑up overhaul

Head coach Dave Rennie also reshuffled the forward pack. Lock Sam Darry replaces Fabian Holland, who scored a try in the opening win in Johannesburg. In the back row, blindside flanker Simon Parker is dropped in favour of Peter Lakai, who impressed off the bench in earlier matches. Reserve hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho sits on the bench alongside Wallace Sititi, while scrum‑half Kyle Preston is set for his seventh consecutive tour game.

Several seasoned players have already reached personal milestones this tour. Full‑back Damian McKenzie will earn his 80th cap, wing Will Jordan his 60th, and lock Tupou Vaa'i his 50th. The series, tied 1‑1 after New Zealand’s 33‑16 victory in Johannesburg and South Africa’s 33‑26 comeback in Cape Town, now shifts to the United States. The final test will be played at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium on 12 September, marking the first time the All Blacks have concluded a Springboks tour on American soil.

What’s next

With the series level, the All Blacks will need to blend the fresh energy of players like Aumua and Lakai with the experience of veterans such as captain Ardie Savea and centre Jordie Barrett. A win in Baltimore would give New Zealand a 2‑1 series triumph and reinforce Rennie’s selection philosophy. A loss could spark further changes ahead of the upcoming international window.

The tour, which also featured victories over France, Italy and Ireland in the inaugural Nations Championship, has already seen seven different starters across six tests. How the new combinations perform in the final showdown will be a key indicator of New Zealand’s depth heading into the next season.