All Blacks and Warriors face big tests against Springboks, Sea Eagles

It is a big weekend for some of the Pacific’s biggest sporting names with the All Blacks facing South Africa in a series decider and the Warriors chasing their first NRL Minor Premiership since 2002.

The All Blacks head into the third Test in Johannesburg with Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series locked at 1-1 after the Springboks' 33-26 win in Cape Town last week.

Chiefs loose forward Tupou Vaa’i will bring up his 50th Test for the All Blacks, with coach Dave Rennie saying the milestone will give the team extra motivation.

“Tupes is a top man. It’ll be a special day for him and his family and additional motivation for us,” Rennie told a media conference.

Rennie has made several changes for the Test, with Asafo Aumua starting at hooker, Peter Lakai promoted to No.6 and Sam Darry coming into the second row. Wallace Sititi returns to the bench.

The third Test kicks off at 3.15am NZT on Sunday at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. For All Blacks team and match information, click here.

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie speaks to the media in Johannesburg ahead of the third Test against the Springboks. Photo/BackpagePix/Nokwanda Zondi/Photosport

Black Ferns set for historic first Test in South Africa

The Black Ferns will also make history on Saturday when they face the Springbok Women in South Africa for the first time.

Coach Whitney Hansen has made several changes, with Atlanta Lolohea coming as a reserve hooker for Vici-Rose Green, Tara Turner returning from injury and Justine McGregor joining the replacements.

Hansen says the team have had to adjust to the altitude in Johannesburg. “They’re feeling that, but we also did a lot of prep and the build in around the mental performance side of that."

The Black Ferns take on USA in the Nations Cup: This week, they face South Africa in their first Test on South African soil at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. Photo/Photosport/Luke Pearson

It will be only the third meeting between the Black Ferns and Springbok Women but the first on South African soil.

Kick-off is Saturday at 11.30pm NZT. Click here for more information about the Black Ferns.

Warriors chase long-awaited minor premiership

Back home, the Warriors have the chance to put the finishing touch on a huge regular season when they take on the Manly Sea Eagles at Go Media Stadium.

The Wahs are top of the ladder and need a win to secure their first Minor Premiership in 24 years.

They have also won their past five games including a 46-32 win over the Newcastle Knights last week.

The One New Zealand Warriors head into the final round of the NRL regular season chasing their first minor premiership since 2002. Photo/Photosport/Andrew Cornaga

It will be a milestone game for two Warriors, with 2025 Dally M Lock of the Year Erin Clark and Tongan centre Leka Halasima both set to make their 50th NRL appearance.

Clark, who joined the Warriors last year, says the club has helped turn his career around, particularly away from the field.

“They've turned me into a better father, husband, teammate. It's a credit to what they've built here and the type of people they have around the club,” Clark says.

Halasima has also had a rapid rise since making his debut at 18 in 2024.

Coach Andrew Webster says the young Tongan has grown into one of the club’s most professional players.

“Now you wouldn't get many more professional than a guy like Leka and he's learnt that at the age of 20 because of guys like Barney and Fish,” Webster says.

Manly are out of the finals race but still have plenty to play for, while the Warriors can use the match to build momentum before the play-offs.

Kick-off is at 5pm NZT on Saturday. Click here for more information about the 2026 NRL competition.

Lavinia Tauhalaliku in action for the One New Zealand Warriors against the St George Illawarra Dragons during their NRLW Round 9 clash at Go Media Stadium in Auckland. Tauhalaliku scored twice in the Warriors’ 22-18 loss. Photo/

Warriors women vs Sharks

The Warriors Women will also be looking to bounce back when they face Cronulla after last week’s 22-18 loss to the Dragons.

The side has struggled for consistency despite bringing in several high-profile players this season, and sit outside the top six.

Coach Ronald Griffiths says the team have not reached the level they expected to.

“We had lofty expectations or ambitions of where we'd be right now and we haven't quite ticked those off,” Griffiths says.

Warriors Women vs Sharks at Go Media Stadium on Saturday at 2.30pm NZT. Click here for more information about the 2026 NRLW competition.

TEAMS

All Blacks: George Bower, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, Tupou Vaa’i, Sam Darry, Peter Lakai, Luke Jacobson, Ardie Savea, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Leroy Carter, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Will Jordan, Damian McKenzie, Interchange: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Fabian Holland, Wallace Sititi, Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert-Brown, Josh Moorby.

Springboks: Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, Wilco Louw, Eben Etzebeth, Ruan Nortje, Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jasper Wiese, Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cheslin Kolbe, Interchange: Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood De Jager, Andre Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Morne Van Den Berg, Manie Libbok.

Black Ferns: Chryss Viliko, Georgia Ponsonby, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, Mia Anderson, Elinor-Plum King, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Maia Joseph, Hannah King, Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, Amy Du Plessis, Mererangi Paul, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Interchange: Atlanta Lolohea, Maddison Robinson, Santo Taumata, Laura Bayfield, Amarante Sititi, Tara Turner, Ruahei Demant, Justine McGregor.

Springboks: Sanelisiwe Charlie, Lindelwa Gwala, Babalwa Latsha, Vaina Ubisi, Danelle Lochner, Sizo Solontsi, Catha Jacobs, Aseza Hele, Unam Tose, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Ayanda Malinga, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Zinhle Mpupha, Alichia Arries, Byrhandre Dolf, Interchange: Anuschka Groenewald, Yonela Ngxingolo, Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Nomsa Mokwai, Logan Welman, Shinikwa Lamprecht, Anacadia Minnaar, Macaela Samboya.

NRL

Warriors: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Adam Pompey, Ali Leiataua, Leka Halasima, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Te Maire Martin, James Fisher-Harris, Sam Healey, Mitchell Barnett, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Jacob Laban, Erin Clark, Interchange: Makaia Tafua, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Demitric Vaimauga, Morgan Gannon, Interchange: Taine Tuaupiki, Kayliss Fatialofa.

Sea Eagles: Tom Trbojevic, Jason Saab, Josh Feledy, Reuben Garrick, Lehi Hopoate, Clayton Faulalo, Jamal Fogarty, Simione Laiafi, Brandon Wakeham, Nathan Brown, Haumole Olakau'atu, Ben Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic, Interchange: Jake Simpkin, Nicholas Lenaz, Corey Waddell, Caleb Navale, Interchange: Onitoni Large, Fletcher Baker.

NRLW

Warriors: Anastasia Sekene, Lavinia Tauhalaliku, Mele Hufanga, Stacey Waaka, Tysha Ikenasio, Patricia Maliepo, Jasmin Huriwai, Annetta Nuuausala, Matekino Gray, Maarire Puketapu, Shakira Baker, Kaiyah Atai, Interchange: Capri Paekau, Harata Butler, Ashlee Matapo, Metanoia Fetalaiga.

Sharks: Jada Taylor, Cassie Staples, Tiana Penitani Gray (c), China Polata, Milla Elaro, Madison Ashby, Chantay Kiria-Ratu, Ellie Johnston, Quincy Dodd, Caitlan Johnston-Green, Manilita Takapautolo, Talei Holmes, Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu, Interchange: Georgia Hannaway, Tegan Dymock, Jacinta Carter, Filomina Hanisi.

Cedric Tausinga, a journalism student at AUT, is currently completing a two-week internship at PMN News.