All Blacks Hit by Flu Outbreak Days Before Second Springboks Test in Cape Town
- A flu-like illness spread through the All Blacks squad days before their second Test against the Springboks at DHL Stadium
- New Zealand assistant coach Neil Barnes confirmed the bug had affected multiple members of the touring party ahead of Saturday's match
- The All Blacks are already dealing with injury concerns following their 33-16 win at Ellis Park, with further squad changes announced
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The All Blacks are managing a flu-like illness spreading through their touring squad, compounding an already challenging build-up to Saturday's second Test against the Springboks at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
New Zealand assistant coach Neil Barnes confirmed the bug during an interview with Newstalk ZB's Sports Fix, two days before the match.
"We've had a fair cop of illness run through the team with a bug that seems to be getting people, a very flu-like thing," Barnes said.
The squad had already absorbed a blow earlier in the week when loosehead prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi was withdrawn from Tuesday's fixture against the Lions after developing a fever. No players named in the matchday 23 have been ruled out because of the illness, though the situation remains one to monitor as the Test approaches.
Dave Rennie Names Reshuffled Starting XV
Head coach Dave Rennie announced his squad on Thursday, making three changes from the starting side that beat South Africa 33-16 in Johannesburg. Two of those changes were unavoidable following head injuries sustained during the opening Test. Ethan de Groot and Josh Lord have both been ruled out, with George Bower stepping up to start at loosehead prop.
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Tupou Vaa'i shifts from blindside flanker into the second row alongside Fabian Holland, while Simon Parker takes the No. 6 jersey. The third change sees Leroy Carter named on the left wing, with Josh Moorby dropping to the replacements despite crossing for a try in the first Test.
New Zealand have also confirmed that loose forward Anton Segner will play no further part in the four-match series. Segner underwent minor surgery to address an infection in his ankle joint and has been ruled out for the remainder of the tour.
Kolisi Returns for South Africa
The Springboks received encouraging injury news of their own ahead of the match, with captain Siya Kolisi cleared to return after recovering from a hamstring problem.
South Africa must win at DHL Stadium to level the series at 1-1, while a New Zealand victory would put the All Blacks within one match of claiming the series outright.
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Source: Briefly News
