New Zealand have introduced three alterations to their starting fifteen for the upcoming second Test against South Africa, hoping to cement a commanding 2‑0 series advantage in Cape Town. The changes see winger Leroy Carter stepping onto the field in place of Josh Moorby, while prop 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 four‑match series, having secured a 33‑16 triumph in Johannesburg last weekend.
That victory not only gave them a 1‑0 lead but also propelled them past the reigning world champions, the Springboks, to claim the world No.1 ranking. With that momentum, coach Dave Rennie is keen to maintain the pressure and extend the lead.
Carter’s inclusion reshapes the back three, pairing the Chiefs’ flyer with the ever‑dangerous Will Jordan on the wing and the versatile full‑back Damian McKenzie. The trio now offers a blend of speed, power and counter‑attacking flair that could trouble the South African defence.
Meanwhile, the half‑back pairing remains unchanged, with Ruben Love retaining his duties at fly‑half, while veteran Beauregard "Beauden" Barrett continues to sit out of the 23‑man matchday squad. Ardie Savea will once again lead the side as captain, and Rennie has opted for a balanced bench, selecting five forwards and three backs among the replacements. The coach reflected on the team’s progress, saying, "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." He added, "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 All Blacks' starting XV for the match 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 bench includes Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Patrick Tuipulotu, Peter Lakai, Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert‑Brown and Josh Moorby. South Africa have also tweaked their lineup. Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu is drafted in for the injured Handre Pollard, who is sidelined with a calf strain, while the dynamic Cheslin Kolbe returns to the bench after a minor knock, replacing Kurt‑Lee Arendse, who was originally named in the Monday squad.
Their starting fifteen consists of 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. The replacements are Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, Andre Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Morne van den Berg and Manie Libbok. Both teams will be looking to exploit the conditions at Newlands, a venue known for its fast, open play and passionate crowds. New Zealand will aim to continue their attacking momentum, using the fresh legs of Carter and Bower to add pace and stability in the backline and scrum respectively.
The lock pairing of Vaa'i and Holland is expected to provide a solid platform in the lineout, an area where South Africa traditionally excels. For the Springboks, the return of Kolbe—renowned for his footwork and ability to break tackles—adds a creative spark to an already potent backline. Feinberg‑Mngomezulu, though relatively inexperienced at international level, brings a powerful boot and a keen eye for tactical kicking, which could prove valuable in managing territory against the All Blacks. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports across the UK and Ireland, with kick‑off times adjusted for local audiences.
Fans can also stream the entire New Zealand tour of South Africa contract‑free via the NOW platform, ensuring that viewers worldwide have access to every minute of the action. Rennie's emphasis on competition for places underscores a broader strategy: building depth and resilience within the squad. By rotating players and giving opportunities to emerging talent, New Zealand hopes to sustain high performance throughout the grueling four‑Test series, which will culminate in a decisive third match if the series remains level.
In summary, the second Test promises a compelling clash of styles—New Zealand's fluid, high‑tempo attack versus South Africa's physical, forward‑driven game. With both sides making tactical adjustments and coping with injury setbacks, the outcome will hinge on execution under pressure, discipline at the breakdown, and the ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
The All Blacks are eager to solidify their lead and maintain their newly acquired world‑number‑one status, while the Springboks will be determined to bounce back and protect their home advantage. The stage is set for an exhilarating encounter that could shape the narrative of the entire tour.