Squad named

Springboks to name first squad since World Cup win

The Boks have not played a test since they lifted the Rugby World Cup in Japan in November 2019, missing out on the entire 2020 season because of South Africa's hard lockdown restrictions due to Covid-19.

But any notion that there may be a shake-up of personnel in the close to 18 months since the final in Yokohama was dispelled by Nienaber ahead of the announcement on 5 June of a squad of 45 players for the Lions series.

Experienced French squad named to face All Blacks

Halfback Morgan Parra is back in the French rugby side for the first time since the 2015 World Cup after being named in the 32-man touring party for New Zealand.

The one debutant is 20-year-old hooker Pierre Bourgarit.

Outside back Wesley Fofana also returns to international duty, having last played an international against New Zealand in 2016.

Both players have been plagued by injuries in recent time.

Fofana suffered a neck injury and missed the Six Nations Championship - which marked the beginning of the Jacques Brunel era and saw Les Bleus finish fourth.

Polota-Nau rested by Wallabies, 2 new caps named

As Polota-Nau sits out, two uncapped players – Melbourne Rebels' Sefa Naivalu and Waratahs' Tolu Latu – have been named in the 30-man squad.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is already lamenting the absence of Polota-Nau for the matches against the Springboks and Argentina in October.

Wing Drew Mitchell is returning to France to continue the Top 14 season with Toulon, while Ben McCalman is also out.