All Blacks lose three players for final Springboks Test in Baltimore

New Zealand will be without Ardie Savea, Quinn Tupaea and Luke Jacobson for the final Test of their South Africa tour in Baltimore next Saturday.

All Blacks officials said Savea dislocated a shoulder during Saturday’s 29-24 defeat to the Springboks at Soccer City, while Tupaea suffered a knee-ligament tear. Jacobson has now been added to the injury list with an elbow problem, SABC News reported.

The three absences leave New Zealand having to change its starting group for the fourth and final match of the series. South Africa leads the series 2-1 after the Johannesburg win.

The Springboks also have a significant injury concern. Winger Cheslin Kolbe will miss the Baltimore match after breaking his jaw in Saturday’s Test.

Both teams will therefore take altered squads to the United States for the closing fixture. The match is part of an extended four-Test series between the rugby rivals, with the last game being staged outside their home countries.

New Zealand’s team announcement will show how the coaching staff reshuffles the loose forwards and midfield after losing Savea, Jacobson and Tupaea. South Africa must also replace Kolbe in its back three.

The exact matchday line-ups had not been announced when this report was prepared. The injury information and the affected players were confirmed in the report carrying the All Blacks’ update.