Barrett ruled out of All Blacks' South Africa tour as Holland edges closer to return

Scott Barrett will play no part in the All Blacks’ Greatest Rivalry Tour to South Africa this August, head coach Dave Rennie confirmed, with the Crusaders lock having been sidelined by a series of minor injuries throughout the entire 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.

Barrett, who captained New Zealand under former head coach Scott Robertson and has earned 89 Test caps, had already taken an extended non-playing sabbatical following the 2025 international season. He was expected to return for the Crusaders at some point during 2026, but recurring niggles prevented him from featuring at all for the Christchurch-based franchise.

The news will be a blow to New Zealand’s second-row options ahead of a demanding four-Test, four-domestic-game tour. The All Blacks are set to name an extended squad of 44 players — ten more than the 34-man group selected for the three July Nations Championship fixtures — in less than two weeks’ time.

On a more encouraging note, Rennie indicated that Fabian Holland, the reigning World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year, is on course to be involved in the touring party. Holland’s inclusion would represent a significant boost for a squad already managing several personnel questions.

Rennie was speaking to media ahead of Saturday’s Nations Championship clash with Ireland at Eden Park, where both sides will be seeking a third consecutive victory in the tournament’s inaugural season. The full squad for South Africa is due to be announced the week after that fixture, with the coaching staff working to finalise selections.

The four-Test series against the Springboks begins on 22 August, with New Zealand travelling to face the reigning world champions on their home soil.