New Zealand have tweaked 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 for the injured Josh Moorby, while front‑rower George Bower and lock Tupou Vaa'i replace the concussed duo of Ethan de Groot and Josh Lord. 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 No.1 ranking.
With that momentum still fresh, coach Dave Rennie has opted for a slightly altered back‑three, pairing Chiefs flyer Leroy Carter alongside established wing Will Jordan and versatile full‑back Damian McKenzie. The decision gives the team a fresh attacking angle while retaining the defensive solidity that characterised the first Test. At fly‑half, Ruben Love retains his starting berth, continuing the coach’s faith in his play‑making abilities.
Veteran Beauden Barrett, who has been a regular fixture in recent squads, is again omitted from the 23‑man matchday list, underscoring Rennie's commitment to building a younger core for the remainder of the tour. The All Blacks will once more be led on the field by Ardie Savea, who captains the side for a second consecutive match.
The bench is balanced with a 5‑3 split between forwards and backs, offering depth across the board. Rennie commented on the adjustments, 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." He added that the competition for places within the squad has been intense, and the performances in South Africa have been encouraging.
"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," he said. The revised New Zealand lineup 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 include Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Patrick Tuipulotu, Peter Lakai, Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert‑Brown and Josh Moorby.
South Africa have also made alterations to their side. Young back Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu steps in for the sidelined Handre Pollard, who is dealing with a calf strain, while the dynamic Cheslin Kolbe returns to the bench after a minor knock, replacing Kurt‑Lee Arendse in the match‑day squad.
The Springboks' starting XV now features: 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 comprises 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 fine‑tune their strategies after the opening encounter. New Zealand will likely aim to exploit the speed of their back three, using Carter’s fresh legs to stretch the South African defense and create space for Jordan and McKenzie.
The inclusion of Bower and Vaa'i strengthens the set‑piece, addressing the concussion‑related gaps and providing additional options in the lineout and scrummage. For the Springboks, the return of Kolbe, even from the bench, adds a potent attacking weapon capable of breaking tackles and generating quick off‑loads.
Feinberg‑Mngomezulu’s introduction at fly‑half gives coach Jacques Nienaber a chance to test a new play‑making combination, potentially altering the tempo of the South African attack. With Kolisi continuing his captaincy duties, the Springboks will rely on their experienced forward pack to dominate the breakdown and set the platform for their backline. The match is set to be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with kick‑off times tailored for UK and Irish audiences. Viewers can also stream the entire New Zealand tour of South Africa, contract‑free, via the NOW platform, ensuring that fans worldwide have access to every minute of the action.
In summary, the second Test promises a compelling contest between two of rugby’s powerhouses, each having made calculated adjustments to their squads. New Zealand’s refreshed back three and reinforced forward unit aim to maintain their newly acquired world‑number‑one status, while South Africa’s blend of youthful vigor and seasoned leadership seeks to level the series and reclaim the upper hand. The outcome will not only shape the remainder of the four‑match series but also provide insight into the depth and adaptability of both squads as they head into the crucial stages of the tour.