Steve Hansen has announced the New Zealand team to play South Africa in the World Cup semi-final at Twickenham this Saturday afternoon.

Joe Moody comes onto the loosehead of the scrum in the only change to the team that beat France in the quarter-final. Moody completes a remarkable, almost Stephen Donald-esque rise to the starting line-up having only joined the squad last week.

All Blacks Head Coach Hansen said: “We’ve had a great preparation so far this week. We’ve put a full stop on last weekend’s performance and have been slowly building throughout the week to produce another game we can all be proud of.

“Though we’ve met many times over the years, we’ve only played three times at the Rugby World Cup and these Cup finals matches are totally different. They have a live or die nature to them and both teams will be desperate to advance.

“As a group we’re really looking forward to this challenge. It will require a massive amount of intensity and composure and accurate skill execution. This team has high expectations of itself and enjoys the big occasions.

“We’re all very much looking forward to Saturday. It’s the fun part of the week where we get to express our skills, physicality and mental strength; all things we’ve been working really hard on this week.”

NEW ZEALAND TEAM TO PLAY SOUTH AFRICA

1. Joe Moody (9 caps)
2. Dane Coles (34)
3. Owen Franks (76)
4. Brodie Retallick (45)
5. Samuel Whitelock (71)
6. Jerome Kaino (65)
7. Richie McCaw (146) – captain
8. Kieran Read (82)
9. Aaron Smith (45)
10. Daniel Carter (110)
11. Julian Savea (39)
12. Ma’a Nonu (101)
13. Conrad Smith (92)
14. Nehe Milner-Skudder (6)
15. Ben Smith (46)

Replacements:

16. Keven Mealamu (130)
17. Ben Franks (45)
18. Charlie Faumuina (31)
19. Victor Vito (32)
20. Sam Cane (29)
21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow (19)
22. Beauden Barrett (34)
23. Sonny Bill Williams (31)

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images