The New Zealand rugby side have tweaked their starting fifteen for the upcoming second Test against South Africa, hoping to clinch a decisive 2-0 advantage in the four‑match series when they take the field in Cape Town. The changes see winger Leroy Carter drafted in to replace Josh Moorby, while front‑rower George Bower and lock Tupou Vaa'i step into the pack, taking the places of Ethan de Groot and Josh Lord, both sidelined after sustaining concussions. The All Blacks entered this encounter with a 1-0 lead after a commanding 33-16 win in Johannesburg last weekend. That victory not only gave them a series edge but also propelled New Zealand past the Springboks to claim the top spot in the World Rugby Rankings, displacing the defending champions.
Carter’s selection gives the Chiefs‑derived back three a fresh dynamic, as he will line up alongside prolific wing Will Jordan and versatile full‑back Damian McKenzie. The backline retains Ruben Love at fly‑half, while veteran Beauden Barrett remains omitted from the 23‑man matchday squad, a decision that underscores the coaching staff’s focus on form and fitness. Captain Ardie Savea will again lead the team, and the bench has been balanced with a five‑forward, three‑back split, providing depth across both the pack and the backline. Head coach Dave Rennie praised the side’s performance after the first Test, noting, "While we were happy with the win last week, I think both teams will be better this weekend.
We've played four Tests this year and are still growing as a group." Rennie also expressed enthusiasm about the internal competition for places, saying, "I'm really excited about the competition for spots and the performances of the squad across the matches here in South Africa, and we're really looking forward to this weekend." The announced New Zealand starting XV reads 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 replacements are 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert‑Brown, 23 Josh Moorby.
South Africa have also made adjustments. Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu is brought in for the injured Handre Pollard, while Cheslin Kolbe returns to the bench, replacing Kurt‑Lee Arendse, who was originally named but later omitted. Pollard is out with a calf strain, and Kolbe, having suffered a minor knock, is now available as a reserve. The Springbok lineup for the match is: 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 bench consists of 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, 23 Manie Libbok. Both teams will be looking to build on the momentum from the first Test.
New Zealand aim to consolidate their newfound world‑number‑one ranking, while South Africa are eager to respond after the heavy defeat in Johannesburg. The tactical battle will likely focus on how the All Blacks integrate Carter’s speed on the flank, how the new lock pairing of Vaa'i and Holland competes in the line‑out, and whether the Springboks can exploit any gaps left by the All Blacks’ altered forward configuration.
Fans can catch every minute of the action live on Sky Sports, with streaming options available through the NOW platform for those without a traditional broadcast contract. The match kicks off at the usual local time, and UK and Ireland viewers can refer to the published schedule for exact kickoff times. This second Test promises high‑stakes rugby, intense physicality, and a chance for both sides to demonstrate why they are considered among the sport’s elite.