New Zealand have reshuffled their starting fifteen for the second test against South Africa, scheduled for Saturday in Cape Town, as they aim to clinch an unassailable 2‑0 lead in the four‑match series. The changes see winger Leroy Carter drafted in to replace Josh Moorby, while prop George Bower and lock Tupou Vaa'i step into the pack in place of Ethan de Groot and Josh Lord, both of whom have been ruled out after suffering concussions during the first test.
The All Blacks entered the series with a 1‑0 advantage 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. With that momentum, coach Dave Rennie has opted for a slightly altered back three, pairing Chiefs flyer Leroy Carter alongside established wing Will Jordan and full‑back Damian McKenzie. The decision gives the coaching staff a fresh attacking option while preserving the core of the backline that performed so well in the opening match. Ruben Love retains his spot at fly‑half, continuing the partnership that has provided a steady distribution platform for the backs.
Notably, former star Beauden Barrett is again omitted from the 23‑man matchday squad, indicating Rennie's confidence in the younger play‑makers and a desire to keep the competition for places fierce. Ardie Savea will once more wear the captain's armband, leading a side that has been split evenly between forwards and backs among the bench selections – five forwards and three backs. This balance reflects the All Blacks' intention to maintain a strong forward platform while still having versatile back‑line options ready to come on if needed. "While we were happy with the win last week, I think both teams will be better this weekend," Rennie said in the pre‑match press conference.
"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 coach's remarks underline the ongoing development of the squad despite already holding a series lead.
New Zealand have already played four Tests this calendar year, and the South African tour provides a valuable learning curve, especially against a side that has traditionally been one of the toughest in the world. New Zealand's revised starting XV 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 to their line‑up. Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu is named at fly‑half in place of the injured Handre Pollard, who is sidelined with a calf strain.
Additionally, the dynamic wing Cheslin Kolbe has been brought back onto the bench after a minor knock, taking the spot originally allocated to Kurt‑Lee Arendse. The Springboks' starting fifteen 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.
Both teams will be looking to exploit any weaknesses exposed in the first encounter. For New Zealand, the inclusion of Carter adds pace and a different angle of attack on the right flank, while Bower and Vaa'i bolster a forward pack that already demonstrated resilience against a physical Springbok side.
The All Blacks will also be keen to see how their back‑line combinations, especially the partnership between McKenzie and Jordan, evolve under pressure. South Africa, on the other hand, will rely on the experience of veterans like Kolisi and Etzebeth to dominate set‑pieces, while hoping that Kolbe's return to the bench can provide a game‑changing spark if the match tightens. Feinberg‑Mngomezulu, relatively new to international rugby, will have a chance to test his composure against the world‑class defense organized by the All Blacks.
The second test is expected to be a tightly contested affair, with the All Blacks seeking to seal the series and the Springboks desperate to keep the contest alive. Fans can catch the action live on Sky Sports, with streaming options available via NOW for those who prefer a contract‑free viewing experience. Kick‑off times are listed for the UK and Ireland, ensuring that rugby enthusiasts across the region can follow every minute of the thrilling New Zealand tour of South Africa.