All Blacks prop Ethan de Groot has been ruled out of the upcoming Rugby Championship tests in South Africa due to a neck injury he sustained earlier this month.
De Groot, who was injured during New Zealand’s 38-30 loss to Argentina on August 10, has been replaced in the squad by George Bower. Bower, who has 21 test caps since his debut in 2021, was not initially selected for the tour but steps in after missing much of 2023 due to a knee injury.
The All Blacks will face the world champions, South Africa, at Ellis Park on August 31 and in Cape Town the following week.
Squad update as we head to South Africa 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/jrWpwaLkax
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 23, 2024
