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All Blacks call in replacement after South Africa tour injury blow
Sport Nation • August 4th, 2026 9:16 am
George Bell | Photo: Photosport
George Bell’s All Blacks tour is over before it has begun.
The hooker will return home from South Africa after suffering a calf strain during training in Cape Town on Sunday.
Bell is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks and will complete his rehabilitation in New Zealand.
Taranaki and Blues hooker Bradley Slater has been called into the squad as his replacement and is due to arrive on Wednesday.
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All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie said Bell’s injury was a major setback after an already frustrating run.
“We are all gutted for George, to be ruled out of the tour so early,” Rennie said.
“He’s had a frustrating past few months with injury so it’s a real blow for him to have injured his calf again. We look forward to seeing him return via the NPC and put himself in a position to push for All Blacks selection later in the year.”
