Williams’ return for All Blacks put on hold

● Coach Hansen reshapes backline ahead of Test with toiling South Africa

0 Beauden Barrett returns at stand-off for New Zealand as they prepare to face South Africa. The return of Sonny Bill Williams for New Zealand has been delayed after illness forced the centre to pull out of the squad for tomorrow’s Rugby Championship Test against South Africa.

Williams had been named on the bench to play his second Test of the year, his first since June, after recovering fromwristandkneeinjuries. However, tonsillitis has seen him withdraw from a squad which shows a significantly reshaped backline.

Beauden Barrett returns at stand-off after being rested for last weekend’s test against Argentina, reforming his half-back partnership with Aaron Smith. Ryan Crotty takes over from the injured Ngani Laumape at inside centre after recovering from a head injury and Anton Lienert-brown has been promoted from the bench to start at centre.

Rieko Ioane has recovered from a hamstring strain and will start on the left wing whilejordiebarrettjoinsthe starting line-up at full-back, pushing Ben Smith to the right wing and forcing Waisake Naholo out of the team.

Jack Goodhue takes Williams’ place on the bench.

Coach Steve Hansen said the All Blacks expect to face a fired-up South Africa team which has lost three of its last four Tests, including its last two against Argentina and Australia.

“We’ve had a good week’s preparation here in Wellington, focusing on what we need to bring to the game through our skill sets, the intensity of our play and our energy,” Hansen said. “We know that we’ll have to be at our very best in all these areas.”

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has made three changes to his starting lineup after last weekend’s 23-18 loss to Australia in Brisbane.

Handre Pollard returns at stand-off in place of Elton Jantjies, Malcolm Marx will start at hooker ahead of Bongi Mbonambi and Lukhanyo Am has been named at centre. Jesse Kriel moves from centre to the right wing to replace Makazole Mapimpi, who has returned to South Africa for treatment to a knee injury.

“We have to deliver an improved performance against the All Blacks,”said Erasmus said. “Keeping our discipline and retaining possession will be key because their ability to counter from turnover ball is well known.”