All Blacks lose George Bell to calf injury before South Africa Tests

All Blacks hooker George Bell will miss the opening stages of the Greatest Rivalry tour after suffering a calf strain during training in Cape Town on Sunday.

Bell is expected to be unavailable for four to six weeks and will return to New Zealand to start his rehabilitation. His injury is a significant setback for the young hooker, who has endured a frustrating period with fitness problems.

Taranaki and Blues hooker Bradley Slater has been added to the squad as cover and is expected to arrive in South Africa on Wednesday.

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie said the squad was disappointed for Bell, who was injured so early in the tour.

“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.”

Bell’s absence comes ahead of the All Blacks’ fixtures against South Africa, with the injury ruling him out of the early part of a tour billed as the Greatest Rivalry.

Slater, 27, was born on 23 September 1998 and comes from a prominent rugby family in Taranaki. His father, Andy, is regarded as a Taranaki legend, while his uncle Gordon represented the All Blacks in six matches, including three Tests, in 1997 and 2000.

The new squad call-up attended New Plymouth Boys’ High School, where he played for both the First XV and First XI. He later represented New Zealand Schools before beginning his professional career.

Slater made more than 60 appearances for the Chiefs between 2019 and 2025, then moved to the Blues. He also played for the All Blacks XV in 2024 and 2025.

His inclusion provides the All Blacks with additional depth at hooker while Bell begins his recovery in New Zealand. Bell is expected to use the NPC as part of his return before attempting to put himself back into contention for All Blacks selection later in the year.

The injury is the latest disappointment for Bell after several difficult months on the sidelines. Rennie’s comments indicated that the focus will be on allowing him to recover fully rather than rushing him back during the current tour.