New Zealand have tweaked their starting fifteen for the upcoming second Test against South Africa, hoping to cement a dominant 2‑0 lead in the four‑match series on Saturday in Cape Town. The changes see winger Leroy Carter stepping onto the field in place of Josh Moorby, while front‑row forward George Bower and lock Tupou Vaa'i replace the injured Ethan de Groot and Josh Lord, both ruled out after sustaining concussions in the first encounter. The All Blacks currently sit atop the series after a convincing 33‑16 victory in Johannesburg last weekend, a result that propelled them past the reigning world champions and elevated New Zealand to the top of the world rankings. With that momentum, coach Dave Rennie is keen to fine‑tune the squad and keep the pressure on the Springboks.
Carter’s inclusion adds a fresh dynamic to the back three, linking up with prolific wing Will Jordan and versatile full‑back Damian McKenzie. The Chiefs winger brings pace and a strong defensive work‑rate, qualities that complement Jordan’s finishing ability and McKenzie’s play‑making vision. At fly‑half, Ruben Love retains his spot, while veteran Beauden Barrett remains omitted from the 23‑man matchday squad, signalling Rennie’s confidence in the younger half‑back pairing.
Ardie Savea will once again wear the captain’s armband, leading a side that features a balanced mix of forwards and backs among the bench, with five forwards and three backs selected as replacements. "While we were happy with the win last week, I think both teams will be better this weekend," Rennie said. "We've played four Tests this year and are still growing as a group.
I'm really excited about the competition for places and the performances of the squad across the matches here in South Africa, and we're really looking forward to this weekend." The starting XV for New Zealand is as follows: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard; 1 George Bower, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 4 Fabian Holland, 5 Tupou Vaa'i, 6 Simon Parker, 7 Luke Jacobsen, 8 Ardie Savea (captain). The bench includes 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert‑Brown and 23 Josh Moorby.
South Africa have also made adjustments. Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu is drafted in for the injured Handre Pollard, who is sidelined with a calf strain, while the brilliant wing Cheslin Kolbe returns to the bench after recovering from a minor knock, taking the place of Kurt‑Lee Arendse who was originally omitted. The Springbok lineup reads: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach; 1 Ox Nche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Wilco Louw, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Ruan Nortje, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 7 Pieter‑Steph du Toit, 8 Jasper Wiese. Their replacements are 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Morne van den Berg and 23 Manie Libbok.
The second Test carries significant stakes. A win for New Zealand would give them an unassailable lead, effectively securing the series and reinforcing their newly acquired world‑number‑one ranking.
For the Springboks, a victory would level the series and restore confidence after the opening loss, keeping the contest alive for the remaining two matches. Beyond the on‑field tactics, both coaches are mindful of squad rotation and player welfare.
The concussion protocol that forced de Groot and Lord out underscores the importance of monitoring head injuries, while the Springboks’ handling of Pollard’s calf issue reflects a cautious approach to maintaining player fitness for the grueling tour. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports, with streaming options available via the NOW platform for contract‑free viewing. The match is expected to showcase a blend of New Zealand’s fluid, attacking style and South Africa’s physical, forward‑driven play, offering a classic clash of rugby philosophies.
In summary, the All Blacks have introduced Leroy Carter, George Bower and Tupou Vaa'i to replace injured teammates, retained Ruben Love at fly‑half, and kept veteran Ardie Savea as captain. South Africa have swapped Handre Pollard for Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu and reinstated Cheslin Kolbe on the bench. Both sides are eager to build on the first‑test result, and the second encounter promises high‑intensity rugby, strategic adjustments, and the chance for New Zealand to cement a series‑winning advantage.