The All Blacks have pulled star scrumhalf Cam Roigard out of their match-day squad for Tuesday night’s clash against the Sharks at Kings Park in Durban.
Roigard is expected to play a significant part in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against the Springboks and New Zealand coach Dave Rennie is taking no chances with the playmaker.
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Roigard was initially named on the bench for Tuesday’s clash, but a troublesome calf has seen his place taken by Cortez Ratima. Kyle Preston remains the starting scrumhalf.
“Cam Roigard has been pulled from the side to play the Sharks as a precautionary measure. He has a tight calf so the decision has been made to allow some time for that to settle. Cortez Ratima will take his place on the bench,” the All Blacks said in a statement.
The Sharks, meanwhile, on Monday also made two late changes to their line-up. Starting lock Emile van Heerden was ruled out with a niggle and Springbok utility forward Vincent Tshituka withdrew from the bench due to concussion.
Deon Slabbert takes the No 5 jersey from Van Heerden, while Corne Rahl takes Tshituka’s place on the bench.
New Zealand started their tour with a 38-21 win over the Stormers in Cape Town last Friday.
Tuesday’s clash kicks off at 19:00.
Updated team line-ups:
Sharks
15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Donovan Don, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Murray Koster, 11 Litelihle Bester, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Nick Hatton (captain), 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Hendre Stassen, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Nemo Roelofse
Substitutes: 16 Liam van Wyk, 17 Rambo Kubekha, 18 Simphiwe Ngobese, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Luan Giliomee, 23 Ma’a Nonu
New Zealand
15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Fehi Fineanganofo, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Kyle Preston, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Luke Jacobson (captain), 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Ethan de Groot
Substitutes: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Ethan Blackadder, 20 Semisi Ta’eiloa, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23 Emoni Narawa
