New Zealand have tweaked their starting fifteen for the upcoming second Test against South Africa, hoping to cement a 2‑0 lead in the four‑match series on Saturday in Cape Town. The changes involve three players: winger Leroy Carter is brought in to replace Josh Moorby, while prop George Bower and lock Tupou Vaa'i take the spots of Ethan de Groot and Josh Lord, both sidelined after suffering concussions. The All Blacks entered the series with a 1‑0 advantage after a convincing 33‑16 triumph in Johannesburg last weekend, a victory 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 with established wing Will Jordan and full‑back Damian McKenzie. The decision gives the team a fresh attacking option on the flank while maintaining the proven potency of Jordan and McKenzie.
At fly‑half, Ruben Love retains his starting berth, continuing the rotation that has seen him earn valuable game time. Veteran Beauden Barrett remains outside the 23‑man squad, a decision that underscores Rennie's commitment to developing the next generation of play‑makers. The All Blacks will again be led on the field by Ardie Savea, who captains the side for a second consecutive match.
Rennie commented on the adjustments, noting, "While we were pleased 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 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 bench includes Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Patrick Tuipulotu, Peter Lakai, Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert‑Brown and Josh Moorby. South Africa have also made a couple of adjustments to their side. Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu is drafted in for Handre Pollard, who is out with a calf strain, while Cheslin Kolbe replaces Kurt‑Lee Arendse on the bench after recovering from a knock.
The Springbok starting XV 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 replacements are Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, Andre Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Morne van den Berg and Manie Libbok. The second Test carries added significance beyond the immediate series score. A 2‑0 lead would give New Zealand an unassailable advantage, meaning the third and fourth matches would become dead rubbers in terms of the series outcome, though they would still affect world rankings and individual player statistics.
For the Springboks, the match offers a chance to level the series and restore pride after the opening loss, especially as they have the benefit of home support at the iconic Cape Town stadium. Both coaches have highlighted the importance of discipline and injury management. New Zealand’s medical team has been vigilant after the concussion incidents involving de Groot and Lord, while South Africa’s staff are monitoring Kolbe’s fitness closely, given his history of hamstring problems. The depth of each squad will be tested, as the bench players are expected to make meaningful contributions, particularly in the forward exchanges where set‑piece dominance often decides tight matches.
Fans can catch the action live on Sky Sports, with kickoff times adjusted for UK and Ireland audiences. For those without a traditional TV subscription, the match will also be streamed contract‑free via the NOW platform, offering a flexible viewing option for rugby enthusiasts worldwide.
In summary, the All Blacks have introduced Leroy Carter, George Bower and Tupou Vaa'i into the starting lineup, while the Springboks have brought in Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu and reinstated Cheslin Kolbe. With both sides eager to assert their dominance, the second Test promises high‑intensity rugby, strategic adjustments, and a potential turning point in a series that could see New Zealand clinch the series outright or the Springboks fight back to force a decider.