The All Blacks have called up Auckland scrumhalf Taniela Moa to join their squad in South Africa after Andy Ellis aggravated a rib injury.

Moa will fly to Cape Town next week, where he will join the other scrumhalves in the squad, Jimmy Cowan and Piri Weepu, ahead of the August 17 Test against the Springboks.

Ellis' rib injury, suffered during the Tri-Nations Test against Australia in Sydney two weeks ago, was aggravated during training this week, All Blacks management said in a statement.

He was ruled out after a medical assessment when the team assembled ahead of their departure Friday.

On Wednesday, the management said utility back Isaia Toeava would travel to South Africa as an injury replacement for concussed fullback Leon MacDonald.

Squad member Rudi Wulf was left out of the 26-man squad for the trip to South Africa to allow three halfbacks to be chosen.

AFP