Filling Sam Cane's void in the All Black XV

The All Blacks win over of the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld this weekend came after major cost for Steve Hansen's men as his star openside flanker succumbed to a neck injury that could see him miss the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Cane's injury is a huge blow to the All Blacks as he has been the incumbent in the All Black jersey since Richie McCaw retired in 2015 and has been a large part of the leadership group since.

We take a look at some of the potential options at Hansen's disposal:

1. Matt Todd

The ever consistent Crusaders' man missed the Rugby Championship due to his club commitments in Japan and would be a like for like replacement for Cane.

Todd brings a lot of experience to the squad and has often been thrown straight into the starting XV when the All Blacks have had injuries in the position in the past.

The 30-year-old will be available to the All Blacks in November and would likely get an extended run in the starting line up.

2. Ardie Savea

The Hurricanes flanker has been used largely as an impact player for the All Blacks in the past but repaid Steve Hansen's faith in him in his two starts for the All Blacks during the Rugby Championship.

Savea has shown that he is more than just an attacking threat recently as he got stuck in with the grunt work in both test against the Springboks and Los Pumas.

The 24-year-old is another player who would be itchy to get an extended run in the starting line up - especially in his preferred no.7 jersey.

3. Blake Gibson

The injury-plagued Blues flanker was involved with the All Blacks at the end of last year with Steve Hansen eager to see how he stacks up.

Gibson is a dangerous threat on attack and is powerful over the ball. If fit Gibson would be another exciting addition to the squad.

4. Dalton Papali'i 

Another Blues flanker makes our list of potential replacements. Dalton Papali'i was tipped for big things after his time as at Saint Kentigern College and certainly delivered on the hype around him.

He put in some standout performances for Blues in his debut Super Rugby season. Papali'i is bound to be an All Black and could kick-start his test career in Europe later this year if given the opportunity.

Both Richie McCaw and Sam Cane were given opportunities at test level at a young age and it will all depend on whether Hansen is keen to blood the youngster with the World Cup fast approaching.

5. Dillon Hunt 

Another player that was involved with the All Blacks during their end of year tour last year. Hunt was a hard grafter for the Highlanders this season and finished the Super Rugby season as one of the tacklers making 188 tackles in 14 games.

Hunt would certainly not disappoint given the chance to make his full test debut for the All Blacks. Hansen has taken a liking to the Highlanders forwards recently handing debuts to the likes of Shannon Frizell and Jackson Hemopo while also given Luke Whitelock a number of opportunities to start this year.

6. Gareth Evans

Finally, another Hurricanes loose forward makes the list. Evans is primarily a number 8 but put in a number of outstanding performances for the Hurricanes on the side of the scrum during the tail-end of the Super Rugby season.

Evans is a threat at the breakdown and will provide an additional threat at lineout time, a skill that sets him apart from the other players on the list. Evans hasn't been involved with the All Blacks squad before but his performance this season suggests he would slot right in.