New Zealand call up replacements after concussion injuries in first test

The All Blacks' tour in South Africa has seen injury replacements called up following concussion setbacks for two key players. Veteran prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi and lock Jamie Hannah have been added to the squad.

Prop Ethan de Groot and lock Josh Lord sustained blows to the head during New Zealand's 33-16 victory over the Springboks in Johannesburg on Saturday. Both players were forced off the field near the end of the first half and will now need to complete the World Rugby concussion protocols.

This mandatory protocol is expected to rule both de Groot and Lord out of contention for next week's second test match, which is scheduled to take place in Cape Town. The loss of these two players presents a challenge for the All Blacks as they aim to continue their successful tour.

Tu’ungafasi, a 34-year-old who has represented New Zealand at the last two Rugby World Cups, and Hannah, who earned his first cap last month as an injury replacement against France, are set to depart New Zealand on Sunday. They are expected to arrive in South Africa on Monday.

This is not the first time New Zealand has had to make adjustments to their squad during this tour. They have already brought in four other replacements during the initial two weeks of their six-week, eight-match trip to South Africa, where they have won all four of their opening matches.