Sam Cane has been retained as All Blacks captain for the upcoming Rugby Championship.
The spotlight on the Chiefs flanker's role has intensified in recent weeks, after the All Blacks' historic test series defeat to Ireland, with suggestions swirling that Sam Whitelock may be promoted to skipper.
But Cane will lead the team into battle as part of a 36-man squad for their annual quad series, starting with a daunting two-test jaunt in South Africa, beginning at Nelspruit on August 7 (NZ time).
Ian Foster has also survived the fallout from the Irish series and will remain head coach - at least for the immediate future - as the All Blacks try to defend both their Rugby Championship title and the Bledisloe Cup.
"I believe in him," Foster said of Cane. "I believe in him as a person and a leader."
The squad features the return of Highlanders forwards Ethan de Groot and Shannon Frizell, who have been selected in the fulltime squad, after providing injury cover during the Irish series.
With Angus Ta'avao, Brodie Retallick and Jack Goodhue making their way back from suspension and injury, the All Blacks selectors have called in temporary cover. Braydon Ennor, Tyrel Lomax and uncapped Josh Dickson will join the squad for the South African leg of the tournament.
Chiefs No.8 Pita Gus Sowakula has lost his place in the squad, despite his tryscoring test debut in the win over Ireland at Eden Park. Blues prop Karl Tu'inukuafe has also been discarded.
The All Blacks haven't played in the republic since 2018, when they escaped with a 32-30 win at Pretoria's Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
After four losses in their past five tests, the pressure on the All Blacks to bounce back against the world champions will be at white-hot levels, as they attempt to right their teetering ship with next year's Rugby World Cup looming ever closer on the horizon.
"We have taken on board the lessons from the [Ireland] series and are excited about looking forward to the next phase of our test season," said Foster.
"The Rugby Championship, plus the Bledisloe Cup remain our top priorities. This is a real chance to show what we are about as a team."
The All Blacks will have a two-day camp at Wellington, before travelling to South Africa to face the hosts at Mbombela Stadium, then a week later at Johannesburg on August 14.
They'll then return to New Zealand for tests against Argentina in Christchurch (August 27) and Hamilton (September 3), before taking on Australia at Melbourne (September 15) and Auckland (September 24).
"There have been some thorough conversations this week, as there always are around our performance environments, and these will continue," said NZ Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson.
"It's exciting to be heading back to South Africa for the first time in several years - we have two big games ahead of us there, and our focus now is to support the team to improve performance and be successful."
All Blacks Rugby Championship squad
Props: Ofa Tuungafasi, Nepo Laulala, George Bower, Aidan Ross, Ethan de Groot, Angus Ta'avao
Hookers: Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Dane Coles
Locks: Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa'i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Brodie Retallick
Loose forwards: Sam Cane (c), Ardie Savea, Dalton Papalii, Akira Ioane, Hoskins Sotutu, Shannon Frizell
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith, Finlay Christie, Folau Fakatava
First-fives: Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo'unga, Stephen Perofeta
Midfield: Jack Goodhue, Rieko Ioane, David Havili, Quinn Tupaea, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Outside backs: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Caleb Clarke, Jordie Barrett, Leicester Fainga'anuku
Replacement players travelling to South Africa: Josh Dickson, Braydon Ennor, Tyrel Lomax
Join us for live updates of the All Blacks' Rugby Championship campaign, starting August 7
