Statement: Four All Blacks sent home from South Africa

A demanding schedule has seen New Zealand take on the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls before beginning their four-Test series against the Springboks. Dave Rennie's side will also face the Lions between the Tests.

With four players already ruled out and several more carrying fitness concerns, the challenge awaiting the All Blacks against the back-to-back World Cup champions has become even tougher.

The latest player to leave the tour is prop Ollie Norris, who was sent home on Sunday.

New Zealand confirmed that Norris suffered a cartilage injury to his knee and is expected to be sidelined for around six weeks.

The 26-year-old will therefore miss the upcoming four-Test series against the Springboks, with Saula Ma'u confirmed as the prop to replace him.

Norris is the latest casualty of a physically demanding tour, with the All Blacks already facing a growing injury list ahead of their opening Test against the world champions in Johannesburg.

Hooker George Bell's tour came to an early end before the All Blacks had even played their first warm-up against the Stormers.

Bell suffered a calf injury during a training session in Cape Town and has since returned to New Zealand to begin his rehabilitation.

Medical staff expect the injury to keep him sidelined for between four and six weeks, bringing his involvement in the Rugby Championship tour to an end.

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie admitted the squad were devastated for Bell, who has endured a frustrating spell with injuries.

“We are all gutted for George, to be ruled out of the tour so early.

“He’s had a frustrating past few months with injury so it’s a real blow for him to have injured his calf again. We look forward to seeing him return via the NPC and put himself in a position to push for All Blacks selection later in the year.”

Bell's latest setback comes at an unfortunate time as he looked to establish himself in the All Blacks squad after breaking into the setup.

Bradley Slater was subsequently called up as his replacement.

Centre Billy Proctor suffered a fractured shoulder blade during the All Blacks' opening match against the Stormers, ruling him out for the remainder of the tour and forcing him to return home.

The injury does not require surgery, but Proctor is expected to face a recovery period of between 10 and 12 weeks. The All Blacks confirmed on Instagram that he would return to New Zealand and take no further part in the tour.

Dave Rennie's campaign in South Africa began unconvincingly despite New Zealand securing a 38-21 victory over the Stormers in Cape Town. Performances improved against the Sharks and Bulls in their next two matches.

Proctor was forced off early in the second half against the Stormers after suffering the injury and was later replaced in the squad by the experienced Richie Mo'unga.

Powerful winger Caleb Clarke is also heading home after scans revealed he ruptured a tendon in his shoulder during last Tuesday's clash with the Sharks.

Clarke featured in New Zealand's emphatic 54-0 victory in Durban, but the injury has brought his involvement in the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour to an early end.

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie confirmed that Clarke would return home, although New Zealand have decided against calling up an injury replacement at this stage.

It is another significant blow for the All Blacks with their highly anticipated Test series against the Springboks now just days away.

New Zealand have also confirmed that Noah Hotham has joined the squad as injury cover for Cortez Ratima.

Ratima suffered a knee injury during the All Blacks' comfortable 50-19 victory over the Bulls in Pretoria. He will be assessed ahead of the Springboks series but has not yet been sent home.

Elsewhere, Cam Roigard, Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie are all doubts for the first Test.

All three still have an outside chance of featuring in Johannesburg, with the expectation that they should be available for the later matches if they are unable to recover in time for Saturday.