All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has named his team to play the Springboks in the second Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry on Saturday at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
The match-day 23 features several changes from the team that won the first Test 33-16 in Johannesburg last weekend.
George Bower, who made an impact off the bench last week, comes in for Ethan de Groot, who is still undergoing HIA protocols, together with lock Josh Lord. Tupou Vaa’i moves to the second row, replacing Lord, with Simon Parker in the six jersey. Xavier Numia comes into the 23 providing prop cover, while Patrick Tuipulotu is lock cover.
In the backs, there is just one positional switch from last week’s team, with Leroy Carter and Josh Moorby swapping positions. Carter starts in the 11 jersey and Moorby is outside back cover in the 23 jersey.
“While we were happy with the win last week, I think both teams will be better this weekend,” said Rennie.
“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.”
All Blacks -15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (c), 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Tyel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Patrick Tuipoluto, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Josh Moorby
