Bulls v New Zealand LIVE: Score and latest updates as All Blacks face final warm-up before Springboks series

Codie Taylor returns from injury to captain New Zealand in a boost for Dave Rennie with a week until the Springboks series. Beauden Barrett is stationed at full-back with Josh Jacomb installed at 10, while Anton Lienert-Brown and Rieko Ioane unite in an experienced centre partnership.

Six of those involved also featured against the Stormers on Tuesday, including both scrum halves. Richie Mo’unga joined up with the squad on Friday but is not involved.

New Zealand XV: 1 Xavier Numia, 2 Codie Taylor (capt.), 3 Tyrel Lomax; 4 Fabian Holland, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu; 6 Simon Parker, 7 Anton Segner, 8 Peter Lakai; 9 Cortez Ratima, 10 Josh Jacomb; 11 Josh Moorby, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 13 Rieko Ioane, 14 Leroy Carter; 15 Beauden Barrett.

Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 George Bower, 18 Siale Lauaki, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Wallace Sititi; 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23 Emoni Narawa.

Former Leicester flanker Hanro Liebenberg makes his return to Bulls colours as part of a strong back row also containing 31-cap Springbok Marcell Coetzee. Veteran Willie le Roux forms an exciting playmaking partnership with Curwin Bosch, while Thaakir Abrahams is another recent returnee to South Africa after a couple of strong years with Munster.

In a late boost for the side, Elrigh Louw and Johan Grobbelaar have beeen released from Springboks camp and will feature off the bench.

Bulls XV: 1 Alu Tshakweni, 2 Juann Else, 3 Francois Klopper; 4 Ruan Vermaak, 5 JF van Heerden; 6 Marcell Coetzee (capt.), 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 8 Jeandre Rudolph; 9 Embrose Papier, 10 Curwin Bosch; 11 Stravino Jacobs, 12 Harold Vorster, 13 Stedman Gans, 14 Thaakir Abrahams; 15 Willie le Roux.

Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Elrigh Louw; 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Katlego Letebele, 23 Hakeem Kunene.

Right, kick off is approaching speedily in Pretoria – let’s take a look at the two teams in detail…

New Zealand zipped up to Johannesburg after facing the Sharks on Tuesday, settling into Sandton ahead of next week’s first Test against the Springboks. Have they had enough time to adjust to the altitude? Loftus Versfeld isn’t quite at quite the same altitude as Ellis Park, but it is still up on the Highveld.

All Blacks boss Dave Rennie is expecting the Bulls to provide the toughest challenge so far to his side.

“The Bulls have consistently been South Africa’s best franchise side, making the United Rugby Championship finals in four of the last five years. Loftus Versfeld is one of the most formidable rugby grounds in the world, so we are aware of the challenge in front of us and excited at what lies ahead,” Rennie said.

“This is also our final hit out before the first Test match against the Springboks, so it is an important game for us. There is healthy competition for Test spots so this is another opportunity for players to put their hands up for selection.”

Fly half Richie Mo’unga has been recalled to the New Zealand squad to leave head coach Dave Rennie with a major selection dilemma for the four-Test series against South Africa.

The 32-year-old has returned to New Zealand with Canterbury in recent weeks, though, and has now been summoned to the touring squad after centre Billy Proctor was ruled out with a shoulder injury.

Wondering why this series is happening? Well, it has a lot to do with the history of rugby – and the game’s future.

The All Blacks were vastly improved in their tour match against the Sharks on Tuesday, though an injury scare to Damian McKenzie was cause for concern.

Tour match three is the last chance for the All Blacks’ Test hopefuls to impress before Dave Rennie narrows down his selection for the first clash with the Springboks next Saturday.

The Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour rolls on with the All Blacks facing the final warm-up fixture before the Test series against the Springboks begins next Saturday. Can New Zealand tune up with a win? Or will a dangerous and experienced Bulls side produce an upset?

Kick off at Loftus Versfeld is at 6pm BST.