Overview
- Handré Pollard was withdrawn with a training niggle on Friday, prompting Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu to be promoted to start at flyhalf and Manie Libbok to join the replacements bench.
- Cheslin Kolbe was declared fit and drafted into the starting XV to replace Kurt‑Lee Arendse after recovering from the knock that forced him off in the opening Test.
- Match officials were also changed late with Nika Amashukeli ruled out through illness and Angus Gardner appointed to referee the Cape Town Test.
- The changes come with immediate consequence because New Zealand lead the series 1‑0 after a 33‑16 win at Ellis Park and the Springboks must win this weekend to remain in contention.
- Coaches have emphasised fixing the Springboks’ failure to turn set‑piece and contact dominance into points in Test I, and the match will also mark Pieter‑Steph du Toit’s 100th cap and Ox Nché’s 50th.