Statement: All Blacks struck with illness outbreak in South Africa

Rugby News

by Charlie Elliott

Friday, 28 August 2026 at 16:02

byCharlie Elliott

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The All Blacks have been hit by an illness outbreak ahead of their second Test against the Springboks in Cape Town.

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Dave Rennie's side head into Saturday's clash holding a 1-0 lead in the four-Test series after their impressive 33-16 victory at Ellis Park. Another win would guarantee that New Zealand cannot lose the series, with the two sides still due to meet twice more.

However, their preparations have been disrupted by a bug spreading through the squad.

Assistant coach Neil Barnes confirmed that a number of people within the All Blacks camp have been affected, speaking to Newstalk ZB's Sports Fix

“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.”

The outbreak has already impacted New Zealand's preparations. Prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi was forced to withdraw from Tuesday's match against the Lions after becoming unwell and developing a fever.

At this stage, the All Blacks have not suggested that any members of the 23 selected for Saturday's Test are in doubt because of the illness.

Rennie named his matchday squad on Thursday and made three changes to the starting XV that secured victory in Johannesburg.

Two of those alterations were enforced, with Ethan de Groot and Josh Lord unavailable after suffering head injuries in the opening Test.

The illness concerns come after further injury problems disrupted the tour. Anton Segner was recently sent home after undergoing minor surgery on an ankle infection.

George Bell, Caleb Clarke, Ollie Norris and Billy Proctor have also left the tour because of injuries, making the All Blacks' 1-0 series advantage all the more impressive given the growing list of absentees.

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All Blacks Handed NIGHTMARE Route to 2027 Rugby World Cup Final

The All Blacks have been handed a potentially brutal route to the 2027 Rugby World Cup final after being drawn alongside hosts Australia in one of the tournament’s toughest pools.

With the competition expanding to 24 teams and introducing a Round of 16 for the first time, New Zealand can already map out their possible path to the Webb Ellis Cup — and it is packed with danger.

Pool A: A Trans-Tasman Showdown

New Zealand have been drawn in Pool A with Australia, creating one of the marquee clashes of the group stage. The All Blacks and Wallabies are expected to battle for top spot, with the pool winner earning a potentially more favourable route through the knockout stages.

Under the tournament format, the top two teams from each pool automatically qualify for the Round of 16, while the four best third-placed teams across all pools also advance.

For New Zealand, the objective will be simple: finish first in Pool A.

Round of 16: A Third-Placed Opponent Awaits

If the All Blacks top Pool A, they will face one of the tournament's best third-placed teams in the Round of 16.

Based on the draw, that opponent would come from Pools C, E or F. Possible challengers could include:

Samoa, USA or Japan (Pool E)
Wales or Tonga (Pool F)
One of the emerging contenders from Pool C

On paper, this should represent a manageable first knockout assignment for New Zealand.

Quarter-Final: Potential Clash with South Africa

The bracket reveals the first major obstacle on New Zealand's path.

Should the All Blacks win Pool A and progress through the Round of 16, they are likely to face the winner of Pool B in the quarter-finals. Defending champions South Africa are overwhelming favourites to top that group, which also contains Italy, Georgia and Romania.

That means the Rugby Championship rivals could be set for another World Cup knockout classic, with the Springboks standing between New Zealand and the final four.

Given South Africa's recent dominance and World Cup pedigree, many observers view this as one of the most anticipated potential quarter-finals of the tournament.

Semi-Final: France Looms Large

If New Zealand overcome South Africa, the likely semi-final opponent would emerge from the opposite side of the bracket containing Pool E.

France are strong favourites to win Pool E, which also includes Japan, Samoa and the United States.

Les Bleus are expected to navigate their side of the draw and could set up a blockbuster semi-final against the All Blacks. A meeting between two of world rugby's most talented squads would undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the tournament.

Potential Final Opponents

Should New Zealand reach the final, several heavyweight nations could await.

The opposite half of the draw is expected to be led by:

Ireland
Scotland
Argentina
England

England's route appears favourable if they top Pool F, while Ireland and Scotland will again meet in the pool stage before potentially making deep runs into the knockout rounds.

Argentina, meanwhile, remain one of the dark horses after their impressive performances in recent World Cups.