The All Blacks have tweaked their match-day 23 for Saturday’s second Test at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium, with the selection sheet carrying enough change to keep South Africa’s analysts reaching for the replay button.
New Zealand arrive after a commanding 33-16 victory in Johannesburg, yet head coach Dave Rennie has resisted the temptation to treat that result as the final whistle. The message is clear: the series remains a live contest, and Cape Town is another heavyweight scrum waiting to happen.
George Bower earns a starting berth after making an impact from the bench last week, replacing Ethan de Groot, who remains under HIA protocols. Josh Lord also comes into the starting side, while Tupou Vaa’i shifts into the second row and Simon Parker takes the No.6 jersey.
The bench has been reinforced with Xavier Numia providing prop cover and Patrick Tuipulotu covering lock.
In the backline, the only positional adjustment sees Leroy Carter move into the No.11 jersey, with Josh Moorby dropping to outside-back cover at No.23. The rest of the attacking unit remains intact, placing Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan, Jordie Barrett and Ruben Love among the key pieces of a backline expected to keep South Africa under pressure.
Rennie sees room for another gear from both sides.
Who’s In? All Blacks Team Named for Second Springboks Test | Press Conference (Cape Town) https://t.co/SatK3b7Hbl
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“While we were happy with the win last week, I think both teams will be better this weekend,” Rennie said.
The coach also pointed to a squad still taking shape after four Tests this year.
“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.”
That competition could prove valuable in the furnace of Cape Town. The All Blacks have momentum in their ruck sack, yet the Springboks will have the home crowd behind them and every incentive to turn the sequel into a rugby arm-wrestle.
New Zealand XV: Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Leroy Carter, Ruben Love, Cam Roigard, Ardie Savea (captain), Luke Jacobson, Simon Parker, Tupou Vaa’i, Fabian Holland, Tyel Lomax, Codie Taylor, George Bower.
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Patrick Tuipulotu, Peter Lakai, Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert-Brown, Josh Moorby.
Test details: Saturday, August 29, DHL Stadium, Cape Town. Kick-off: 15:10 GMT. Referee: Nika Amashukeli(Georgia). Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England) and Angus Gardner (Australia). TMO: Eric Gauzins (France).
