All Blacks team to face Bulls: Damian McKenzie dropped

This will be the All Blacks final match before their opening Test of their four-match series against the Springboks.

Taylor returns from injury to make his first appearance of the tour and will lead the side in his 110th All Blacks match.

The clash is the third match of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry, after New Zealand opened their tour against the Stormers before thrashing the Sharks 54-0. Six players who featured against the Sharks retain their places, while 14 members of the matchday 23 also played in the opening victory over the Stormers.

Rennie has described the Bulls as one of the biggest challenges of the tour, with Loftus Versfeld providing a formidable final examination before the All Blacks face the world champions.

“This is also our final hit out before the first Test match against the Springboks, so it is an important game for us. There is healthy competition for Test spots so this is another opportunity for players to put their hands up for selection.”

The return of Taylor is arguably the headline selection, with the experienced hooker taking over the captaincy after previously serving as a senior figure within the All Blacks leadership group. Rennie paid tribute to the 109-Test veteran ahead of his milestone appearance.

“Huge congratulations to Codie on his first All Blacks captaincy. He is a top man and has done a great job leading this tour group. This is a proud moment for an All Blacks centurion who has made a massive contribution to this team as a player and a leader.”

Taylor will be joined in the front row by Xavier Numia and Tyrel Lomax, with both props also making their first appearances of the tour. Josh Jacomb continues at fly-half, while Beauden Barrett moves to fullback and Rieko Ioane starts at outside centre.

New Zealand's coaching staff clearly view Saturday's match as more than a routine tour fixture.

The Bulls have established themselves as one of the strongest sides in the United Rugby Championship in recent seasons and have reached the competition's final four times in the last five years.

Loftus Versfeld will provide a very different examination to the All Blacks' emphatic 54-0 victory over the Sharks.

With the first Test against the Springboks looming, several players will also see Saturday as their final opportunity to force their way into Rennie's starting XV.

All Blacks match-day 23 (Test caps and non-Test games in brackets):