All Blacks team to face Stormers - Beauden Barrett starts at 10 with new captain named

The All Blacks have named a strong match-day 23 for the landmark fixture at DHL Stadium in Cape Town, which opens Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry and marks the first-ever meeting between New Zealand and the Stormers. Experienced lock Tuipulotu will lead the side for the second time, having previously captained the All Blacks against Japan in October 2024.

The 57-cap second-rower is joined in the starting pack by several established internationals, including George Bower, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Wallace Sititi and Fabian Holland.

Beauden Barrett starts at fly-half and will bring 144 Test caps of experience to the backline, after missing out on the entire Nations Championship Southern Series. Rieko Ioane makes his first appearance in the black jersey this year on the left wing. Anton Lienert-Brown and Billy Proctor combine in midfield, with Leroy Carter and Josh Moorby completing the back three.

Two players are set to make their All Blacks debuts from the replacements bench, with prop Siale Lauaki and inside back Josh Jacomb included in the match-day squad. Ollie Norris, Fabian Holland, Simon Parker, Ethan Blackadder, Kyle Preston, Barrett and Ioane will also make their first appearances for New Zealand in 2026.

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie congratulated Lauaki and Jacomb on their selection.

“Firstly, I want to congratulate the new All Blacks Siale and Josh. It will be a very exciting and proud day for them and their families,” Rennie said.

“We’ve had a great welcome in Cape Town and we’re excited to get this tour underway.

“We are really pleased with how our leaders, including match day captain Patrick and tour captain Codie, have prepared the group. We can’t wait for Friday.

“We’re well aware of how good this Stormers side is. They made the semifinals of the United Rugby Championship last year and they are a big, physical side with a mix of talented youngsters and Springboks, so we are preparing for a real war of attrition.”

The match kicks off at 19:10 local time (18:10 UK time) on Friday, August 7.

15. Josh Moorby

14. Leroy Carter

13. Billy Proctor

12. Anton Lienert-Brown

11. Rieko Ioane

10. Beauden Barrett

9. Cortez Ratima

1. George Bower

2. Samisoni Taukei’aho

3. Pasilio Tosi

4. Fabian Holland

5. Patrick Tuipulotu (captain)

6. Simon Parker

7. Peter Lakai

8. Wallace Sititi