Taylor perhaps paid the price for a poor line-out in the second test, where the Springboks were able to poach and disrupt all through the game.
Asafo Aumua will start at hooker with Samisoni Taukei’aho coming onto the bench in the change to the front row as Taylor, with 111 test caps, is omitted from the match-day 23.
Sam Darry will play his first test of the four-match series as he replaces Fabian Holland in the second row, with Holland dropping to the bench and Patrick Tuipulotu falling out of the matchday squad.
Tupou Vaa’i will be playing his 50th Test, and was congratulated by the Springboks for the achievement.
“Tupes is a top man. It’ll be a special day for him and his family and additional motivation for us,” New Zealsnd coach Dave Rennie said. “With both teams heading into the third Test one apiece, there’s everything to play for on Saturday.
“The team that doesn’t win this weekend can’t win the series. That’s the kind of challenge we love to rise to. The team is feeling fresh after a full week’s lead in to the game and we can’t wait to put everything out on the park."
Peter Lakai is brought into the loose trio in place of Simon Parker, with Wallace Sititi included among the replacements for the first time in the test series.
The backline remains unchanged from last Saturday’s 33-26 loss to the Springboks in the second test in Cape Town. Ardie Savea will again captain the side with a 5-3 split between forwards and backs on the bench.
The match will be played at the cavernous venue on Soweto, with a crowd of around 87,000 expected.
"We’ve really felt the support not only from our travelling army of Kiwi fans and fans here in South Africa, but also the New Zealand public back home. It’s been massive for us and we look forward to more of the same this weekend," Rennie said.
The All Blacks were worthy 33-16 winners in the first test at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. The fourth test is in Baltimore in the United States on September 12.
The All Blacks are embarking upon their first full tour of South Africa since 1996! Marketed as the 'Greatest Rivalry' series, the winner will come out not only with the bragging rights but World Rugby's number one ranking. Keep up to date throughout August and September with news, previews and more.
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New Zealand team: 15-Damian McKenzie, 14-Will Jordan, 13-Quinn Tupaea, 12-Jordie Barrett, 11-Leroy Carter, 10-Ruben Love, 9-Cam Roigard, 8-Ardie Savea (captain), 7-Luke Jacobson, 6-Peter Lakai, 5-Sam Darry, 4-Tupou Vaa'i, 3-Tyrel Lomax, 2-Asafo Aumua, 1-George Bower
Replacements: 16-Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17-Xavier Numia, 18-Fletcher Newell, 19-Fabian Holland, 20-Wallace Sititi, 21-Kyle Preston, 22-Anton Lienert-Brown, 23-Josh Moorby