All Blacks captain Ardie Savea set for shoulder surgery, likely out for 2026
New Zealand's captain Ardie Savea gestures towards the fans following a third international test rugby match between South Africa and New Zealand, in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. Credit: AP/Themba Hadebe
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Captain Ardie Savea will have surgery on his damaged shoulder and likely won't play again in 2026 as the All Blacks count the injury cost of their Greatest Rivalry rugby series in South Africa.
Savea dislocated his shoulder during the third test of the four-test series which South Africa won 3-1.
The duration of his rehabilitation will not be known until his surgery has been done but it is likely to be months, immediately ruling him out of next month's Bledisloe Cup series against Australia.
Savea's backrow partner Luke Jacobson already has faced surgery on a torn elbow tendon while winger Caleb Clarke has a ruptured shoulder tendon. Both also are out for the remainder of the season.
Center Anton Lienert-Brown faces weeks on the sideline with a medial cruciate ligament injury, as does midfielder Billy Proctor who suffered a broken shoulder blade early in the South Africa tour.
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