The from New Zealand is staring down the barrel of back-to-back defeats against the World Champions in South Africa.

On top of that they haven’t won a match since the first Test against Ireland at Eden Park in Auckland last month.

In the response to their third straight defeat the All Blacks made four changes to their starting XV which includes two prop and a change at flyhalf.

All Blacks coaches, Ian Foster, feels the changes will have a positive impact on the team.

“We felt both Tyrel (Lomax) and Ethan (de Groot) were in really good positions,” Foster said.

“It’s a great opportunity for Ethan to switch from that bench, and he’s a strong scrummager.

“Shannon (Frizell) looked raring to go off the bench and Richie (Mo’unga) has trained really well and contributed massively behind the scenes.

“Did we consider other changes? Of course we did. But that’s where we got to.”

Saturday’s Test at Ellis Park kicks off at 17:05.

Springboks - 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Jesse Kriel, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ox Nché.

Replacements - 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Jasper Wiese, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Willie le Roux.

All Blacks - 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 David Havili, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Scott Barrett, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Samuel Whitelock, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ethan de Groot.

Replacements - 16 Codie Taylor, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Akira Ioane, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Quinn Tupaea.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport