All Blacks suffer huge triple injury blow ahead of fourth Springboks Test
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Sidelined.
The All Blacks have suffered a huge triple injury blow ahead of the fourth and final Test against the Springboks in Baltimore.
Captain Ardie Savea, Quinn Tupaea and Luke Jacobson are all set to return to New Zealand rather than travel to the United States after picking up injuries in Saturday’s 29-24 defeat at FNB Stadium.
According to 1News, Savea has suffered a dislocated shoulder, while Tupaea has sustained an MCL injury and Jacobson is dealing with an elbow tendon injury.
The injuries suffered by Savea and Tupaea may potentially keep both players sidelined for the remainder of 2026.
The loss of Savea is particularly significant after the All Blacks captain produced an outstanding start to the third Test in Soweto.
The 32-year-old scored twice during the opening half before being forced from the field with his shoulder injury.
Head coach Dave Rennie initially confirmed after the game that Savea would not travel to Baltimore, but the extent of New Zealand’s injury problems has now become clearer.
Tupaea was also forced from the field during the defeat after injuring his knee, while Jacobson, who took over the captaincy following Savea’s departure, has now been ruled out with an elbow problem.
The injuries leave Rennie with significant decisions to make ahead of the series finale.
The All Blacks are expected to call additional players into their squad for the trip to Baltimore, although the reinforcements have yet to be confirmed.
Savea’s injury could have implications well beyond the Springboks series, with New Zealand due to face Australia in two Bledisloe Cup Tests next month before travelling to the northern hemisphere for their Nations Championship fixtures in November.
The triple blow comes after the Springboks took a 2-1 lead in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry with their 29-24 victory in Johannesburg.
New Zealand can still level the four-Test series with victory in Baltimore next weekend, but they will now have to do so without three key members of the side that featured at FNB Stadium.
