Can the All Blacks do it again and go 2-0 up in their four-game series against world champions South Africa in Cape Town this weekend?
That’s the question on every rugby lover fans lips as the two top teams in the world go head-to-head for the second time. New Zealand ran out 33-16 winners in Johannesburg last weekend, outscored South Africa by five tries to one to notch a famous victory.
It was a game that showcased their resilience, tactical nous and physical commitment. Bashed, bullied and at times overpowered in the first half as the Spribgboks turned up the heat, the All Blacks changed ends within touching distance at 13-12.
What they did in the second half was underline why they are one of the best and most attractive teams to watch in the world game as they turned the tide and ran in three match-winning tries without reply.
And once they have finished their marathon four Test series in South Africa the All Blacks will be coming to Cardiff to face Wales at Principality Stadium on Saturday, 14 November in the Nations Championship.
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The figures from one of the most intense Test battles in modern day demonstrated how resilient the New Zealanders were:
- South Africa had 51% possession and 61% territory. They carried the ball 96 times to New Zealand’s 83 and made 286 post-contact metres to 191.
- No 8 Jasper Wiese carried 17 times, almost twice as often as any other Bok. Pieter-Steph du Toit was next on 10.
- The Boks lost 23 turnovers, compared with New Zealand’s 13, and managed the same number of line-breaks – seven – despite all that territory and possession.
- The raw totals of kicks from the two teams were almost identical: 17 Bok kicks, 18 from New Zealand.
- The big difference was what happened around them as New Zealand passed more – 124 to 106 – and looked far more willing to move the point of attack.
South African coach Rassie Erasmus initially dropped outside half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu to the bench, but has since reinstated him in the starting line-up after Handre Pollard pulled out with an injury. There was better news with wing Cheslin Kolbe, who has recovered to retain his place.
Skipper Siya Kolisi missed the first Test with an injury, but returns to lead the side in Cape Town.
“This game is important, all the games are, but the nice thing is most of us have been in this position before in the British & Irish Lions series and at the Rugby World Cup. We know how to handle things on and off the field,” said Kolisi.
“But the most significant aspect now is actually on the field. We need to play and execute our game plan well.
As for the All Blacks, Dave Rennie has made a number of changes to his matchday squad from the first Test. George Bower, who made a major impact off the bench last week, comes in at tight head prop for Ethan de Groot who is still undergoing HIA protocols.
Lock Josh Lord is also ruled out due to HIA protocols, which means Tupou Vaa’i moves to the second row and Simon Parker takes over the No 6 jersey. Xavier Numia comes into the 23 providing prop cover, while Patrick Tuipulotu is lock cover.
In the back line, Leroy Carter comes into the starting XV and he swaps with Josh Moorby, who drops to the bench.
“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.”
The All Blacks have played South Africa 111 times, winning 64 times, losing 43 and drawing four.
South Africa: Damian Willemse; Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Ethan Hooker; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach; Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, Wilco Louw, Eben Etzebeth, Ruan Nortje, Siya Kolisi (captain), Pieter-Steph Du Toit, Jasper Wiese
Reps: Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, Andre Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Morne van den Berg, Manie Libbok
New Zealand: Damian McKenzie; Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Leroy Carter; Ruben Love, Cam Roigard; George Bower, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Fabian Holland, Tupou Vaa’I, Simon Parker, Luke Jacobson, Ardie Savea (captain)
Reps: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Patrick Tuipulotu, Peter Lakai, Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert-Brown, Josh Moorby
Wales head coach Steve Tandy will also be taking an interest in proceedings in the game between Argentina and Australia in Buenos Aires on Saturday. The Wallabies will be in Cardiff on 21 November.
Argentina: Gerónimo Prisciantelli; Rodrigo Isgró, Lucio Cinti, Faustino Sánchez Valarolo, Ignacio Mendy; Santiago Carreras, Simón Benítez Cruz; Boris Wenger, Ignacio Ruiz, Francisco Moreno, Guido Petti, Tomás Lavanini, Pablo Matera (captain), Benjamín Grondona, Joaquín Moro
Reps: Leonel Oviedo, Rodrigo Martínez, Tomás Rapetti, Efraín Elías, Juan Penoucos, Agustín Moyano, Nicolás Roger, Matías Moroni
Australia: Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Isaac Henry, Hunter Paisami, Harry Potter; Carter Gordon, Ryan Lonergan; Isaac Kailea, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Allan Alaalatoa (captain), Josh Canham, Jeremy Williams, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini
Reps: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Massimo de Lutiis, Lachlan Shaw, Charlie Cale, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
DID YOU KNOW . . .
- The match is the first of a two match series.
- The Wallabies are on a three match winning-streak.
- Australia are unbeaten under new head coach Les Kiss. The Wallabies defeated Japan 35-32 in Osaka, Japan and 56-17 in Townsville, Australia.
- Argentina won the most recent match between the teams 28-26 in Sydney in 2026.
- Felipe Contepomi has retained the starting XV that faced South Africa in Buenos Aires. The replacements feature alterations with three backs rather than two.
- Pablo Matera captains Los Pumas for the 19th time.
- Allan Alaalatoa captains the Wallabies for the 7th time. Fellow starting prop, Isaac Kailea will play his first test match since 2024.
- Les Kiss has entirely changed his forwards. None who started in Townsville vs Japan will start in Jujuy. In contrast, the same backs that started for the Wallabies in Townsville will start in Jujuy.
- Tom Wright will earn his 49th cap for the Wallabies while Matías Moroni will earn his 99th for Los Pumas.
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