All Blacks make three changes for Springboks rematch as head injuries force reshuffle

Dave Rennie has made three changes to his All Blacks starting XV for the second Test against South Africa, with two of those alterations forced by injury protocols following last week’s win at Ellis Park.

Prop Ethan de Groot misses out after entering his mandatory stand-down period following a head collision with lock Josh Lord during the first Test. George Bower takes the No.1 jersey in his place, while Xavier Numia is promoted to the bench. Lord’s absence in the second row has been covered by Tupou Vaa’i shifting across, with Simon Parker moving into Vaa’i’s vacated blindside flank spot. Patrick Tuipulotu drops to the reserves as a result.

The only non-injury change sees Leroy Carter replace Josh Moorby on the left wing. Moorby remains in the matchday 23, named at the back of the bench alongside Anton Lienert-Brown and Kyle Preston.

The rest of the squad is unchanged from the side that upset the Springboks in Johannesburg. Bower packs down alongside Codie Taylor and Tyrel Lomax in the front row, with Fabian Holland and Vaa’i in the second row. Parker joins Luke Jacobson and captain Ardie Savea — both winning their 110th and 28th caps respectively — in the loose trio.

The Hurricanes backline axis of halfback Cam Roigard, first five-eighth Ruben Love and Jordie Barrett at second five-eighth retains its place, with Quinn Tupaea, Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie completing the back three alongside Carter.

Asafo Aumua and Fletcher Newell, both of whom made an impact off the bench last week, are again named in the reserves alongside Numia, Peter Lakai and Tuipulotu.

Rennie acknowledged that both teams are likely to improve on last week’s contest. “While we were happy with the win last week, I think both teams will be better this weekend,” he 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.”