New Zealand make three changes for crunch Springboks rematch in Cape Town

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Leroy Carter of New Zealand during 2026 Rugbys Greatest Rivalry Tour match between Bulls and New Zealand at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on 15 August 2026 ©Christiaan Kotze/BackpagePix

New Zealand have made three changes to ⁠their starting XV for the second “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” test against South Africa in Cape Town ‌on Saturday, including the selection of Leroy Carter over Josh ‌Moorby on the wing.

The All Blacks were worthy ‌33-16 winners in the first test against the world ‌champion Springboks, which took them to the top ‌of the World Rugby rankings ahead of the second game in the four-match series.

Carter comes into the side ‌with Moorby dropping to the bench. ⁠Carter makes up ‌a back three with wing Will Jordan and fullback Damian ​McKenzie.

Ruben Love continues at flyhalf with Beauden Barrett again not named in the ​matchday 23.

Other concussion-enforced changes see George Bower replace Ethan de Groot at prop and Simon Parker ⁠come into the ​side at flank, with Tupou Vaa’i moving to lock in place of Josh Lord.

Ardie Savea will again captain the side with a 5-3 split between ‌forwards and backs on the bench.

“While we were happy with the win last week, I think both teams will be better this weekend,” coach Dave Rennie said.

“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.”

New Zealand team: 15-Damian McKenzie, 14-Will Jordan, ‌13-Quinn Tupaea, 12-Jordie Barrett, 11-Leroy Carter, 10-Ruben Love, 9-Cam Roigard, 8-Ardie Savea (captain), 7-Luke Jacobson, 6-Simon Parker, 5-Tupou Vaa’i, 4-Fabian Holland, 3-Tyrel Lomax, 2-Codie Taylor, 1-George Bower

Replacements: 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