All Blacks Named to Face Springboks!

From waterboy to starter

In an amazing turnaround, Richie McCaw has recovered enough from the knee ligament injury he suffered against Argentina in Hamilton three weeks ago to the point that he is available for selection for the All Blacks' key test against the Springboks on Saturday at Ellis Park.

McCaw's surprise recovery means that Sam Cane's tremendous progress this season does come to a pause although the young 21-year-old should still feature prominently at the place known as the All Blacks' graveyard.

Will we see a repeat scene like this this Saturday?

However, Owen Franks has not quite recovered enough to keep his place in the side so Charlie Faumuina will start his second test in a row with brother Ben Franks on the bench. Dane Coles replaces Keven Mealamu on the bench in the only other change to the side.

Andrew Hore could also quite possibly play his last test for the ABs this weekend - the Highlanders and Taranaki hooker is likely to hang up his boots at the end of the Rugby Championship having not signed a contract with a Super Rugby season.

The likely lineup -
1.Tony Woodcock
2.Andrew Hore
3.Charlie Faumuina
4.Brodie Retallick
5.Sam Whitelock
6.Liam Messam
7.Richie McCaw (captain)
8.Kieran Read
9.Aaron Smith
10.Aaron Cruden
11.Julian Savea
12.Ma'a Nonu
13.Conrad Smith
14.Ben Smith
15.Israel Dagg

RESERVES -
16.Dane Coles
17.Wyatt Crockett
18.Ben Franks
19.Steven Luatua
20.Sam Cane
21.Tawera Kerr-Barlow
22.Beauden Barrett
23.Charles Piutau