New Zealand rugby captain Scott Barrett is ruled out for the All Blacks’ tour of South Africa after suffering a back injury, according to South African reports. The Citizen says Barrett had taken a sabbatical and planned to return to rugby last month, but his return is delayed by the injury. News24 reports that Barrett is expected to be sidelined for up to five months. It adds that the back injury requires surgery, which will prevent him from joining the team for the tour described as historic in the reports. Both sources frame the development as a significant setback to Barrett’s planned return, with the injury disrupting his comeback timeline. The reports do not provide details on the immediate next steps for his recovery beyond the need for surgical treatment. The All Blacks therefore will be without their captain for the South Africa tour due to the ongoing back problem.