The All Blacks forward pack may be forced to reshuffle their cohesive tight-five unit.
Concerns remain for influential lock Brodie Retallick, who took no part in training yesterday, and prop Wyatt Crockett.
Assessment of Retallick's concussion symptoms were again delayed yesterday, but the fact he took cover from the Johannesburg sun and sat under a tent at training suggests he is an unlikely starter against the Springboks this weekend.
"Not yet," All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster said when asked if Retallick's head knock had been assessed before training. "We're going to train this afternoon. We're going to have a look at them then."
While Crockett ran around freely, the nasty facial cuts he suffered from a boot against the Pumas last week continue to cover much of the left side of his face and leave his vision impaired. There is a danger the stitches required to hold those together could easily split open in what promises to be a typically torrid physical test from the Boks' pack.
"He got cut in a tackle in three or four different places," Foster said. "It's a bit of a mess."
The All Blacks may, therefore, be forced to promote Jeremy Thrush to partner Sam Whitelock in the second-row for his fourth test start and also bring blindside flanker Steven Luatua on to the bench as cover. If Crockett's cuts do not heal rapidly, a choice between Ben Franks and Joe Moody at loosehead prop will also be required.
Franks has been used to cover both sides of the scrum this year and, while it would be a calculated punt, Moody may receive his maiden start in just his fifth test. The 26-year-old Cantabrian is highly rated by scrum guru Mike Cron and would be backed to handle the intense occasion at Ellis Park.
Losing Retallick would be a major blow - he has been the All Blacks' dominant forward this season with an uncompromising work-rate and physicality. His potential absence would also place added pressure on the lineout, where Boks veteran Victor Matfield remains a constant threat.
"He's [Matfield] the best in the world at the lineout, certainly in his day," All Blacks No 8 Kieran Read said. "For our group we're learning and have got a lot better over the last few years. Our lineout is working at a high level and we've got to try keep it there."
Without Retallick's soaring frame, Whitelock's ability to win clean ball from this area will be crucial.
In another tight selection debate Keven Mealamu seems set to get the nod over Dane Coles at hooker. Mealamu surprised most with a standout 72-minute performance against the Pumas last week. Frequent criticism of his on-going calf issues and form may have spurred him on, but Mealamu certainly made the most of a rare starting chance and now appears likely to retain the role.
Having made two long-haul journeys - from Argentina to New Zealand and back to South Africa for the birth of his first baby boy - Coles could instead be utilised from the bench. That scenario would allow Mealamu's strong set-piece absorb the Boks' initial onslaught and Coles' mobility to thrive when fatigue sets in later in the match.
"It changes how we assess where both guys are at," Foster said of Coles' recent travel. "We love the growth Coles has made. He's done a fantastic job and the great thing is Keven's start against Argentina was at a great level. We've got some really good choices. The key factor is where both those two are at energy-wise over the early part of this week.
"Either way I don't think it's a massive decision. Regardless of who starts, they're both going to play significant minutes."
