All Blacks Confirm 36-Man Baltimore Squad As 9 Players Head Home After Springboks Loss

• Dave Rennie has made several changes to his All Blacks group as preparations begin for the final showdown against the Springboks in Baltimore
• The latest squad update follows a bruising evening in Soweto, with New Zealand facing an important decision before the series finale
• The All Blacks will have plenty to play for in Baltimore after the latest Springboks clash left the 4-Test rivalry finely poised heading into the final match

The All Blacks have confirmed a 36-man squad for the final Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test in Baltimore, with 9 players heading back to New Zealand after the 29-24 defeat to the Springboks at FNB Stadium on Saturday, 5 September 2026.

The changes come as Dave Rennie prepares his team for a series finale that could hand South Africa the overall series victory.

All Blacks make 9 changes after Springboks defeat

Three players were ruled out because of injuries suffered against the Springboks. Ardie Savea sustained a dislocated shoulder, Quinn Tupaea suffered an MCL injury and Luke Jacobson injured a tendon in his elbow.

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All Blacks dealt fresh injury headache after Springboks defeat

New Zealand Rugby also confirmed that Josh Jacomb, Siale Lauaki, Saula Ma’u, Cortez Ratima, Bradley Slater and Ofa Tu’ungafasi will return home. Ratima has a knee injury.

Rennie will therefore take a reshaped group into the United States.

Baltimore Test carries series stakes

The Springboks' victory in Soweto moved them 2-1 ahead in the four-Test series. The final Test will take place at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Saturday, 12 September local time. The venue can accommodate more than 70,000 spectators.

Rugby365 reports that the official All Blacks squad includes Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo’unga, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie.

The result in Baltimore will determine whether South Africa claims the series outright or New Zealand forces a draw.

Rassie Erasmus’ cheeky Dave Rennie beer remark

Briefly News previously reported that Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus had a cheeky response when asked about sharing a beer with All Blacks coach Dave Rennie after South Africa’s latest victory.

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Black Ferns outclass Springbok women after Swys de Bruin’s abrupt resignation

Erasmus’ light-hearted remarks came after another intense chapter in the rivalry, adding a lighter moment to the aftermath of the Springboks’ win in Soweto.

Source: Briefly News