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Agence France-Presse

New Zealand have made four changes for their final Rugby Championship test against South Africa on Saturday, while retaining TJ Perenara at the expense of disgraced halfback Aaron Smith.
Coach Steve Hansen recalled veteran forwards Jerome Kaino and Sam Whitelock, boasting 152 caps between them, as the All Blacks seek to post 17 consecutive test wins.
But with the Rugby Championship already wrapped up, Hansen also continued to give younger players a run, replacing Ardie Savea with Matt Todd in the centres.
Giant winger Waisake Naholo, who pulled a hamstring in the opening match against Australia, returns to give Julian Savea a rest.
Watch: New Zealand coach Steve Hansen


Smith was widely expected to return against the Springboks in Durban, but was suspended over an airport toilet tryst with a mystery woman in Christchurch.
The decision means Perenara remains at halfback after taking part in last week’s win over Argentina, with Hansen expressing faith in Smith’s understudy.
“Obviously [Smith] is a world-class player and you want to be able to play him, but TJ has had three good stints there now,” he said.
Down the toilet: All Blacks drop Aaron Smith over illicit airport bathroom encounter
New Zealand have an underwhelming record of three wins from eight tests against South Africa in Durban and Hansen said he expected a fierce Springboks’ performance.
“The inconvenient facts are they go well here so we’ll need to play well,” he said.
Watch: Jerome Kaino talks about his return from injury


New Zealand to play South Africa in Durban on Saturday:
Ben Smith; Israel Dagg, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ryan Crotty, Waisake Naholo; Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara; Kieran Read (captain), Matt Todd, Jerome Kaino; Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick; Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Joe Moody
Replacements: Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Liam Squire, Ardie Savea, Tawera Kerr-barlow, Lima Sopoaga, George Moala
Watch: New Zealand v Argentina




‘Stop whining,’ New Zealand’s Steve Hansen tells Australian counterpart Michael Cheika

New Zealand overcome Australia in Bledisloe Cup for record 18th straight test triumph

Quade Cooper dropped as Australia try to stop all-conquering All Blacks

‘Focused’ All Blacks won’t be distracted by Australia in world record bid

The Rugby Championship 2016

Disgraced Aaron Smith out as All Blacks make four changes for Springboks test

Waisake Naholo in action against Wales at Eden Park in Auckland in June 2016. Photo: AFP

All Blacks set for key changes in clash against Springboks

Bruising loose forward Jerome Kaino is likely to be back for the All Blacks for their Rugby Championship match against the Springboks in Durban. Photo: AFP

New Zealand's All Blacks Anton Lienert-Brown is tackled by Argentina's Los Pumas Santiago Cordero during a rugby championship match in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)Anton Lienert-Brown is tackled by Argentina's Los Pumas Santiago Cordero

New Zealand All Blacks Waisake Naholo runs the ball forward during the rugby Test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Wales at Eden Park in Auckland on June 11, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / MICHAEL BRADLEY

Unstoppable New Zealand blitz Argentina to extend winning run

New Zealand centre Ryan Crotty celebrates with team-mate TJ Perenara. Photos: AFP

New Zealand's All Blacks flyhalf Beauden Barrett (C) is tackled by Argentina's Los Pumas flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez (R) and lock Matias Alemanno (2-L) during their Rugby Championship match at Jose Amalfitani stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina on October 1, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / JUAN MABROMATA

Argentina's Los Pumas number 8 Facundo Isa (C) is tackled by New Zealand's All Blacks centre Ryan Crotty (R) and wing Damian McKenzie during their Rugby Championship match at Jose Amalfitani stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina on October 1, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / JUAN MABROMATA

Sport

Rugby

Veteran forwards Jerome Kaino and Sam Whitelock, winger Waisake Naholo and centre Matt Todd will feature in the Rugby Championship test in Durban


New Zealand have made four changes for their final Rugby Championship test against South Africa on Saturday, while retaining TJ Perenara at the expense of disgraced halfback Aaron Smith.
