Kane Hames has been thrown straight into the deep end after being selected to pull on the All Blacks' No.1 jumper for Saturday's Rugby Championship clash with South Africa in Albany.
The two-Test Hames joined the Kiwi squad earlier this week, following a season-ending shoulder injury to incumbent loosehead Joe Moody.
He has jumped directly into the starting line-up for a bruising encounter against the Springboks, leapfrogging veteran Wyatt Crockett.
It will be the Chiefs loosehead's first Test start, having come off the bench in Bledisloe Cup Tests in 2016 and 2017.
Crockett will start on the bench.
Elsewhere, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has sprung few surprises, reinstating his heavy artillery after giving several key players a rest in last week's 39-22 win over a plucky Argentina in New Plymouth.
Sam Whitelock, Sam Cane, Aaron Smith and Ryan Crotty all return to the starting XV, while Liam Squire has been selected ahead of Vaea Fifita at blindside.
Fifita, who starred in his starting Test debut against Los Pumas and scored a barnstorming try, has been left out of the matchday squad altogether.
Damian McKenzie retains his role at fullback, while Nehe Milner-Skudder has earned the nod ahead of Waisake Naholo on the right wing.
Israel Dagg, who has struggled with a knee issue for much of this week, will not play with Rieko Ioane named on the left edge.
After struggling to dispatch Argentina last weekend, Hansen called on his troops to produce the goods in Auckland.
They needed to keep growing their game, particularly in attack.
Several outfits - from the British and Irish Lions to Australia and Argentina - have successfully blunted Hansen's troops with defensive line speed.
"We need the games we're getting at the moment, we've had a bit of adversity and that will only make us better," Hansen said.
"South Africa scrummage well, they attack well with the ball and their defence is getting better - so that's basically the game."
New Zealand takes on South Africa on Saturday September 16, kicking off at 5:35pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS.
TEAM
New Zealand to face South Africa
IN: Kane Hames, Sam Whitelock, Liam Squire, Aaron Smith, Ryan Crotty, Rieko Ioane
OUT: Joe Moody, Luke Romano, Vaea Fifita Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Ngani Laumape, Israel Dagg
1.Kane Hames
2. Dane Coles
3. Nepo Laulala
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Sam Whitelock
6. Liam Squire
7. Sam Cane
8. Kieran Read
9. Aaron Smith
10. Beauden Barrett
11. Rieko Ioane
12. Sonny Bill Williams
13. Ryan Crotty
14. Nehe Milner-Skudder
15. Damien McKenzie
Reserves:
16. Codie Taylor
17. Wyatt Crockett
18. Ofa Tuungafasi
19. Scott Barrett
20. Ardie Savea
21. TJ Perenara
22. Lima Sopoaga
23. Anton Lienert-Brown
