The Blues have named a 27-man squad for their two week tour of South Africa.

Sir John Kirwan’s men play the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld this Saturday (Sunday 4.05am NZT) before taking on the Lions at Ellis Park a week later.

Having recently arrived from Japan, both Hayden Triggs and Jerome Kaino will remain in New Zealand alongside a number of injured players including Ma’a Nonu, Francis Saili, Jamison Gibson-Park and Baden Kerr.

The squad features a number of players who have not travelled to the Republic before, including Benji Marshall, Patrick Tuipulotu, Jordan Manihera, Simon Hickey, Tevita Li and Liaki Moli.

The Blues arrived in Johannesburg earlier this week.

Blues squad:

Luke Braid

Tom Donnelly

Charlie Faumuina

Steven Luatua

Jordan Manihera

Tom McCartney

Keven Mealamu

Liaki Moli

Brendon O’Connor

James Parsons

Sam Prattley

Peter Saili

Angus Ta’avao

Patrick Tuipulotu

Ofa Tu’ungafasi

Tony Woodcock

Pita Ahki

Frank Halai

Bryn Hall

Simon Hickey

Tevita Li

Benji Marshall

George Moala

Chris Noakes

Charles Piutau

Piri Weepu

Jackson Willison

Unavailable due to injury: Francis Saili, Baden Kerr, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ma’a Nonu, Kane Barrett