Fresh from his match-winning double in the Dutch Cup Final against Ajax, the PEC Zwolle midfielder is part of a full strength midfield that welcomes back Stuttgart’s Marco Rojas, who had to withdraw from last month’s international in Japan through injury.
Two new uncapped players also make the cut with New Zealand U-20 midfielder Matt Ridenton earning his first call up and former Junior All Whites captain Luke Adams handed a chance to step up to senior level.
Adams, who is also eligible for the next Olympic cycle, is a direct replacement for Ben Sigmund who is carrying a niggling injury from the latter stages of the A-League season.
In other changes, striker Chris Wood has elected not to return for the match, which falls outside FIFA’s international window. He instead will rest ahead of what will be a crucial pre-season for his Premier League aspirations while West Ham’s Winston Reid and Ipswich Town’s Tommy Smith will also remain in England.
Elsewhere the squad is largely unchanged from the Tokyo trip as New Zealand Football continue to invest in players with qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in mind.
“The process of building experience in individual players and cohesion across the group began against Japan and continues with the group Neil has selected for South Africa,” NZF High Performance Director Fred de Jong says.
“The experience of the last campaign has shown that for a play-off series in 2017 we will need a strong group of players that have had significant experience at this level. This match is perfect to give these players this opportunity.”
With six teenagers named in the squad and another five aged 25 or under interim All Whites coach Neil Emblen is looking to build on the positive aspects taken from the defeat to Japan.
“As a coach you’re excited by the attacking options we have now and the speed of movement and passing that we showed at times last month against a very good side off to a World Cup,” Emblen said.
“We’ve added another couple of young faces in Matt Ridenton and Luke Adams who deserve the opportunity to show they can be part of the All Whites path to Russia, and there are still some experienced players around them to help them rise to the challenge of international football.”
All Whites squad – international v South Africa
(Caps/Goals/Club)
Goalkeepers
Glen MOSS (captain – 27/0, Wellington Phoenix)
Tamati WILLIAMS (0/0, Auckland City)
Defenders
Luke ADAMS (0/0, Unattached)
Michael BOXALL (8/0, Wellington Phoenix)
Andrew DURANTE (7/0, Wellington Phoenix)
Storm ROUX (2/0, Central Coast Mariners, AUS)
Bill TUILOMA (3/0, Olympique de Marseille, FRA)
Midfielders
Cameron HOWIESON (7/0, Burnley, ENG)
Chris JAMES (17/2, unattached)
Michael MCGLINCHEY (26/3, Vegalta Sendai, JPN)
Matt RIDENTON (0/0, Wellington Phoenix)
Marco ROJAS (17/1,Vfb Stuttgart, GER)
Tim PAYNE (9/2, Blackburn Rovers, ENG)
Ryan THOMAS (1/0, PEC Zwolle, NED)
Forwards
Kosta BARBAROUSES (25/2, Melbourne Victory, AUS)
Tyler BOYD (1/0, Wellington Phoenix)
Jeremy BROCKIE (43/0, Wellington Phoenix)
Shane SMELTZ (50/23, Perth Glory, AUS)
Management staff
Head coach: Neil EMBLEN
Assistant coach: Darren BAZELEY
Goalkeeper coach: Paul GOTHARD
Manager: Rob PICKSTOCK
Doctor: Mark FULCHER
Physio: Roland JEFFREY
Massage Therapist: Wade IRVINE
New Zealand v South Africa
Friday 30 May, 7.30pm
Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Adults $39
Children (16 and under) $15
Family (two adults, two children) $80
For more on New Zealand football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz

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