New Zealand have tweaked their starting fifteen for the upcoming second Test against South Africa, aiming to cement a 2-0 lead in the four‑match series on Saturday in Cape Town. The changes see winger Leroy Carter drafted in for the injured Josh Moorby, while front‑row forward George Bower and lock Tupou Vaa'i replace Ethan de Groot and Josh Lord, both ruled out after suffering concussion in the first encounter.
The All Blacks currently sit atop the series after a dominant 33-16 victory in Johannesburg last weekend, a win that propelled them past the Springboks to claim the world number one ranking. Carter’s inclusion gives the Chiefs’ speedster a place in a back three that also features the prolific Will Jordan on the wing and the versatile full‑back Damian McKenzie, creating a potent attacking trio capable of exploiting any defensive lapses from the hosts.
Ruben Love remains at fly‑half, retaining the number ten jersey, while veteran Beauden Barrett is again omitted from the 23‑man matchday squad. The coaching staff have also confirmed that Ardie Savey will captain the side for a second consecutive match, and they have opted for a balanced replacement bench with five forwards and three backs.
Coach Dave Rennie reflected on the team’s performance after the first Test, 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 that the competition for places within the squad has been fierce and that the players have responded positively to the challenges presented by the South African environment. "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," Rennie continued. The All Blacks will line up 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 will feature Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Patrick Tuipulotu, Peter Lakai, Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert‑Brown and Josh Moorby. South Africa have also made adjustments to their squad.
Young centre Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu replaces the injured Handre Pollard, who is sidelined with a calf strain, while the dynamic wing Cheslin Kolbe comes onto the bench in place of Kurt‑Lee Arendse, who suffered a knock. The Springboks will start with 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 include Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, Andre Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Morne van den Berg and Manie Libbok. The match is expected to be a hard‑fought contest, with both sides possessing a blend of physicality and flair.
New Zealand will look to build on their attacking momentum, using Carter’s speed on the flank and McKenzie’s counter‑attacking instincts to stretch the South African defence. Meanwhile, the Springboks will rely on their powerful forward pack, anchored by the experience of Eben Etzebeth and the leadership of Siya Kolisi, to dominate set‑pieces and provide a platform for their backline, which includes the ever‑dangerous Kolbe. Fans can watch the game live on Sky Sports, with kick‑off times listed for the UK and Ireland. For those preferring streaming, the match will also be available contract‑free via the NOW platform, ensuring broad accessibility for rugby enthusiasts worldwide.
The series continues to generate significant interest, as New Zealand aim to cement their position at the top of the world rankings while South Africa strive to bounce back after the opening loss. Beyond the on‑field action, the tour highlights the growing commercial partnership between rugby broadcasters and digital streaming services, reflecting a broader shift in how fans consume live sport. The availability of high‑definition, on‑demand coverage means viewers can experience the intensity of Test rugby from any device, without the constraints of traditional cable packages.
As the second Test approaches, both coaching staffs will be fine‑tuning tactics, analyzing video footage from the first encounter, and managing player workloads to ensure peak performance. The outcome of this match will not only influence the series scoreline but also provide valuable insights into each team's depth and resilience as they progress through the demanding South African summer schedule.