Head Coach Dave Rennie has officially named his 23-man match-day squad for the second fixture of the South African tour. Consequently, the official All Blacks squad vs Sharks will take the field on Tuesday, August 11, at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban. This highly anticipated encounter follows a hard-fought 38-21 opening victory over the DHL Stormers in Cape Town.
Du’Plesis Kirifi to Captain the Side
Loose forward Du’Plesis Kirifi will captain the national team for the very first time. He leads an exciting, dynamic lineup featuring a blend of experienced international performers and emerging talent. Kirifi starts at openside flanker alongside Ethan Blackadder at blindside flanker and Christian Lio-Willie at number eight.
Meanwhile, the front row features tighthead prop Fletcher Newell, hooker Asafo Aumua, and loosehead prop Ollie Norris. In the second row, Sam Darry partners with Fabian Holland to complete a powerful forward pack.
“We were pleased with many aspects of our performance in Cape Town, but Durban presents a completely different challenge,” noted Head Coach Dave Rennie ahead of the match.
Bench Selection for the All Blacks Squad vs Sharks
The match-day bench highlights significant potential debuts for four uncapped players. Taranaki hooker Bradley Slater, Waikato prop George Dyer, Auckland midfielder AJ Lam, and Wellington back Ruben Love are all in line to earn their first caps. Furthermore, former captain Sam Cane joins the reserves to provide invaluable late-game leadership.
In the backline, halfback Finlay Christie pairs with Damian McKenzie at first five-eighth. The midfield features Jordie Barrett alongside Quinn Tupaea, while Caleb Clarke and Sevu Reece occupy the wings. Fullback Shaun Stevenson rounds out the starting backline.
Confirmed Match-Day 23 Lineup
Here is the full line-up announced for the All Blacks squad vs Sharks clash:
- Starting XV: 1. Ollie Norris, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Fabian Holland, 5. Sam Darry, 6. Ethan Blackadder, 7. Du’Plesis Kirifi (C), 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Quinn Tupaea, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Shaun Stevenson.
- Replacements: 16. Bradley Slater*, 17. George Bower, 18. George Dyer*, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Sam Cane, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. AJ Lam*, 23. Ruben Love*. (*denotes uncapped player)
Match Details and Historic Background
The match kicks off at 7:00 PM local time in Durban (5:00 AM Wednesday, August 12 NZT). Notably, this encounter will mark the first time the team plays at Kings Park since 2016. English referee Matthew Carley will take charge of the whistle for this midweek tour match.
Are you eager to follow every tackle and try live? Check out our complete All Blacks 2026 Schedule for all upcoming fixture dates. For supporters following the squad across South Africa, explore our comprehensive All Blacks 2026 Tickets Guide. Don’t forget to visit our main Rugby News Hub for daily squad updates, and view official team rankings on World Rugby.