By Johnathan Paoli
The Springboks have little room for another off day when they face the All Blacks at DHL Stadium on Saturday, a week after New Zealand punished South Africa’s mistakes in a 33-16 win at Ellis Park.
The defeat left the world champions 1-0 down in the four-Test series and cost them top spot in the world rankings, with New Zealand taking over at number one.
South Africa now has the chance to level the series in Cape Town before the rivalry returns to Johannesburg on 5 September and then moves to Baltimore in the United States for the fourth Test on 12 September.
Captain Siya Kolisi will start after recovering from a hamstring injury, strengthening a Springbok pack that had periods of clear physical dominance in Johannesburg during the first encounter but failed to turn enough of that pressure into points.
South Africa reached the All Blacks’ 22 repeatedly in the first Test, but handling errors, poor execution and New Zealand’s defence kept the Springboks to a single try.
New Zealand was far more ruthless. The All Blacks scored five tries, including two from Will Jordan, and repeatedly made South Africa pay when possession was turned over or attacks broke down.
The Springboks’ task in Cape Town is therefore straightforward: keep the forward pressure, but cut out the mistakes.
Their preparations were complicated on Friday when flyhalf Handre Pollard withdrew because of a calf injury.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who started at flyhalf at Ellis Park before initially being moved to the bench for Cape Town, was promoted back into the starting side and will partner Cobus Reinach at halfback. Manie Libbok was called onto the bench.
There was better news out wide, with Cheslin Kolbe recovering from the knock he suffered in Johannesburg. He will start on the right wing, while Ethan Hooker takes the number 11 jersey and Damian Willemse continues at fullback.
Kurt-Lee Arendse, who had initially been named to start on the right wing, is no longer in the match-day squad.
Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende remain in midfield.
Up front, the Springboks retain much of the experience that helped them put New Zealand under pressure at set piece.
Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw form the front row, with Eben Etzebeth and Ruan Nortje at lock.
Kolisi joins Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese in the loose trio.
Saturday will be a milestone match for two Springboks. Du Toit will play his 100th Test, while Nche will make his 50th appearance for South Africa.
Etzebeth will extend his record as the most-capped Springbok to 144 Tests.
New Zealand has also been forced into changes after its Johannesburg win.
Loosehead prop Ethan de Groot and lock Josh Lord are unavailable while going through concussion protocols.
George Bower replaces de Groot, while Tupou Vaa’i moves into the second row and Simon Parker starts at blindside flank.
Leroy Carter moves into the starting side on the left wing, with Josh Moorby dropping to the bench.
Ardie Savea again captains the All Blacks from No. 8, with Cam Roigard and Ruben Love retained as the halfback combination.
Jordan starts on the right wing after his two tries at Ellis Park took his Test tally to 53, while Damian McKenzie continues at fullback and will make his 34th consecutive appearance for New Zealand.
