All Blacks hooker Bell ruled out of South Africa tour

Slater will arrive in Cape Town on Wednesday and is unlikely to face the Stormers on Friday.

"We are all gutted for George, to be ⁠ruled out of ‌the ​tour so early," All Blacks coach Dave Rennie said ​in a ‌statement.

"He's had a frustrating past few months with ​injury so it's a real blow for him to have injured his calf again."

Rennie ​already ​had three other ​hookers in his bumper squad ‌in Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei'aho and Asafo Aumua.

The All Blacks will face provincial opposition in the shape of the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls and Lions ​as well as four Tests against the world ​champion Springboks ⁠on the tour.