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Live sport on SN this weekendRennie tweaks All Blacks line-up for second Test against South Africa
Sport Nation • August 27th, 2026 10:00 pm
Leroy Carter | Photo: Photosport
All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has made a handful of changes to his matchday squad for Sunday's (NZ time) second Test against South Africa in Cape Town.
With Ethan de Groot and Josh Lord still undergoing HIA protocols after the 33-16 first Test win in Johannesburg, George Bower and Tupou Vaa'i will start at prop and lock respectively.
Vaa'i's shift to the second row sees Simon Parker promoted from the bench to start at blindside flanker.
Xavier Numia and Patrick Tuipulotu come into the matchday 23 as prop and lock cover respectively.
There is just one change among the backs, with Leroy Carter and Josh Moorby swapping roles. Carter starts on the left wing, while Moorby provides outside-back cover from the bench.
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“While we were happy with the win last week, I think both teams will be better this weekend,” Rennie said in a statement.
“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.”
The All Blacks have won seven of their 11 Tests against the Springboks in Cape Town, although their last victory there came in 2017.
The second Test kicks off at DHL Stadium at 3am, Sunday.
All Blacks squad for second Test vs South Africa:
1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Fabian Holland, 5. Tupou Vaa’i, 6. Simon Parker, 7. Luke Jacobson, 8. Ardie Savea (captain), 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Quinn Tupaea, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Damian McKenzie.
Bench: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Peter Lakai, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Josh Moorby.
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