Overview
- Handré Pollard was withdrawn after picking up a training niggle and being assessed on Friday, so Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu has been promoted to start at flyhalf and Manie Libbok added to the bench.
- Cheslin Kolbe has been declared fit and drafted into the starting team to replace Kurt‑Lee Arendse on the right wing.
- South Africa trail New Zealand 1–0 after the 33‑16 defeat at Ellis Park, making the Cape Town Test a must‑win if the Springboks are to remain in contention for the series.
- There was a late change to the match officials with Nika Amashukeli ruled out through illness and Angus Gardner appointed as referee for the Test at Cape Town Stadium.
- The revised matchday 23 includes big experience up front and notable milestones with Pieter‑Steph du Toit set for his 100th cap and Ox Nché for his 50th, and coaches will use the compressed tour to finalise combinations ahead of the World Cup era.