All Blacks mine squad depth for Rugby Championship clash against South Africa

New Zealand's rugby union coaches announced four changes on Thursday for their final Rugby Championship Test against South Africa on Saturday. 

Reuters/Marcos Brindicci

Coach Steve Hansen recalled veteran forwards Jerome Kaino and Sam Whitelock, boasting 152 caps between them, as the All Blacks seek a 17th consecutive Test win.

The All Blacks have already claimed the 2016 Rugby Championship - their fourth since the inception of the competition in 2012 - after winning their first five matches. Hansen, who led New Zealand to last year's World Cup, said he wanted to blood younger squad members.

"We've been able to bring fresh players back into the group which is vital at this time of the year and allows us to continue to grow some depth," said the 57-year-old.

"We're expecting to be facing a very confident South African team after their win over Australia. We're expecting them to throw the kitchen sink at us."

New Zealand have a miserable record of three wins from eight Tests against South Africa in Durban. "The inconvenient facts are they go well here so we'll need to play well," he added.

Winger Waisake Naholo, who pulled a hamstring in the opening match against Australia, returns in place of Julian Savea and TJ Perenara will play at scrum-half following the one match suspension given to Aaron Smith.

The 27-year-old was dropped after it was revealed that he met a woman in an airport toilet in Christchurch.

"Obviously Smith is a world-class player and you want to be able to play him but TJ has had three good stints there now," Hansen said.