CAPE TOWN - The All Blacks have been dealt an injury blow ahead of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Series, which gets underway at Cape Town Stadium on Friday.
George Bell hurt his calf during one of the All Blacks’ first sessions in Cape Town and is expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks.
Bradley Slater has been called up as cover and is due to join Dave Rennie's squad in South Africa on Wednesday.
Bell had been selected as the All Blacks' fourth-choice hooker, behind Codie Taylor, Asafo Aumua and Samisoni Taukei'aho.
New Zealand launch an eight-match tour, which includes four Tests, on Friday against the Stormers in Cape Town.