South Africa secured a hard-fought 33-26 win over New Zealand in the second Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour to level the series in Cape Town.
The All Blacks had stunned the Springboks in the series opener at Ellis Park last Saturday but it was the hosts who started quickly this week, with Jesse Kriel crossing within two minutes to set the tone in a thrilling encounter.
The All Blacks levelled quickly through Cam Roigard and the two teams traded blows in the first half, with Damian de Allende and Damian McKenzie both crossing within the opening 30 minutes.
Nevertheless, the Boks began to pull away from their rivals towards the end of the first period, with Cheslin Kolbe’s kicking proving the difference before returning captain Siya Kolisi crossed over to leave the score at South Africa 24-14 New Zealand at the break.
That lead set the tone for the second half too, with the game slowing down as Kolbe’s boot continued to help the Springboks. Late New Zealand tries from Leroy Carter and Ardie Savea threatened the hosts’ lead towards the final whistle, but in the end South Africa had done enough to level the series ahead of a fascinating tie next week in Johannesburg.
Follow all of the latest from the second Test with our live blog below:
Read MoreAll Blacks boss questions Springboks scrummaging tactics ahead of second Test
The deeper significance behind South Africa and New Zealand’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series
South Africa vs New Zealand LIVE
- South Africa beat New Zealand 33-26 to level Test series
- 76' TRY! Savea goes over to keep All Blacks in the game [RSA 33-26 NZL]
- 66' TRY! Carter crosses to give New Zealand hope [RSA 30-14 NZL]
- 37' TRY! Kolisi burst over to restore 10-point lead [RSA 24-14 NZL]
- 30' TRY! McKenzie brings All Blacks back into contention [RSA 17-14 NZL]
- 22' TRY! Damian de Allende extends lead [RSA 17-7 NZL]
- 16' TRY! Roigard levels it after clever Jordan run [RSA 7-7 NZL]
- 2' TRY! Kriel goes over from close range early on [RSA 7-0 NZL]
South Africa inflict first loss of year on New Zealand to level series
19:49 , Chris WilsonSouth Africa dealt New Zealand their first defeat of the year to level their four-Test series as they ran out 33-26 victors in Cape Town.
The Springboks, over the whitewash in just the second minute, scored all three of their tries in the first half to build a pressure-inducing 24-14 lead by half-time.
Cheslin Kolbe converted them all plus four penalties to keep his side in control on the scoreboard. Kolbe was named the player of the match, having made all 11 of his shots at the posts in the series.
South Africa inflict first loss of year on New Zealand to level series
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry schedule, results, kick-off times and how to watch South Africa vs New Zealand
21:00 , Chris WilsonOld foes South Africa and New Zealand collide in a new series in the first “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” tour.
The Springboks and All Blacks have reached a reciprocal touring agreement that will see the pair clash in a number of Tests every four years.
The first edition sees Dave Rennie’s side head for South African soil to take on four United Rugby Championship sides alongside a quartet of clashes with Rassie Erasmus’s world champions.
The fourth of those fixtures, which brings together the World Cup finalists from three years ago, will take place in Baltimore on the east coast of the United States.
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry schedule and how to watch Springboks v All Blacks
RECAP: How the first Test went
20:30 , Chris WilsonNew Zealand stun South Africa to make statement start to Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series
New Zealand overcame a tough physical challenge to outscore hosts South Africa five tries to one and win the first Test 33-16 at Ellis Park on Saturday to go one-up in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
The All Blacks had been underdogs going into the first international of their eight-match tour, but took full advantage of the home side’s numerous handling errors and ill-discipline for a statement victory that ended a 12-match winning streak for the Springboks and will rock the confidence of the world champions.
Will Jordan extended his run as New Zealand’s record try scorer with two tries that bookended scores from Josh Moorby, Fabian Holland and Luke Jacobson. Ruben Love kicked over four conversions.
All Blacks stun Springboks to make statement start to Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series
The deeper significance behind South Africa and New Zealand’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series
20:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleWhile four Tests between the southern hemisphere heavyweights whet the appetite, this is as much a venture born out of mutual commercial benefit as any great demand for more meetings between the pair. Indeed, there is a degree of rankling resentment at the manner in which the two unions have broken away from the Rugby Championship, a competition that has found new life in recent years. But these encounters, titled “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry”, carry all the hallmarks of that term – genuine history, genuine hostility, genuine best-of-the-best feel.
There will be touring teams of old that may scoff at the schedule facing the All Blacks, but this is a gruelling itinerary for modern times. New Zealand will criss-cross the Rainbow Nation with four games against the United Rugby Championship (URC) franchises interspersed among four fully-fledged Tests, with half of each played at altitude. They will not need reminding of the strength and depth of South African rugby, or the hunger of those on the fringes to force their way into Springboks contention.
Still, though, it feels as if these All Blacks have plenty to prove. There were encouraging early signs at the start of the Rennie regime in July’s Nations Championship fixtures, but New Zealand are clearly playing catch-up after two ultimately wasted years under Scott Robertson.
Rennie's comments on four-Test series
19:25 , Chris Wilson“With eight matches in six weeks, including a four-Test series against the Springboks, this would have to be the toughest tour in rugby,” All Blacks coach Dave Rennie said on the series ahead f the first game.
“Every player will be required to play their part across this tour, whether it’s preparing to play or helping their mates prepare.
“It will be an intense seven weeks of touring but an excellent opportunity for us to pit ourselves against the current benchmark team in world rugby, and to build connections with each other in a way that only a tour of this scale can do,” he added.
The deeper significance behind South Africa and New Zealand’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series
19:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleThey are known as “The Incomparables”, a nickname to daunt a group of successors to whom they will find themselves inevitably compared. When Dave Rennie unveiled his New Zealand squad for the tour of South Africa, present were a selection of the 1996 All Blacks who, 30 years ago, conquered the reigning world champion Springboks in their own backyard and launched rugby union’s professional age. Three decades on, the echoes of that series still sound; again, this much-anticipated meeting of men’s rugby’s two ruling powers carries with it a significance beyond simply the sport at its centre.
The deeper significance behind the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry schedule & results
18:53 , Chris WilsonRugby’s Greatest Rivalry schedule (all times BST)
7 August: Stormers 21-38 New Zealand
11 August: Sharks 0-54 New Zealand
15 August: Bulls 19-50 New Zealand
22 August: First Test: South Africa 16-33 New Zealand
25 August: Lions 35-41 New Zealand
29 August: South Africa 33-26 New Zealand
5 September: South Africa vs New Zealand (4.10pm, Johannesburg) THIRD TEST
12 September: South Africa vs New Zealand (10pm, Baltimore) FOURTH TEST
In pics: South Africa level the series
18:43 , Chris Wilson
Next up
18:36 , Chris WilsonThe series continues next week in Johannesburg, with the two sides facing off on Saturday, 5 September. Kick-off in that one is at 4pm BST.
The series ends a week after that on 12 September as the two sides face off in Baltimore, in the USA. That game begins at 10pm BST, and the series will be settled there one way or another.
Kolisi: 'It's been a tough week'
18:30 , Chris Wilson“It's been great, it's been a tough week. The All Blacks played really well last week and again this week,” said Sprongboks captain Siya Kolisi at full-time.
“We knew what we needed to do. I want to credit the coaches, the plans that they make. Last week we didn't take our opportunities but we did this week.
“I want to thank everyone who came out to support. We wouldn't be here without you,” he added.
Savea: 'We were chasing the game'
18:23 , Chris Wilson“It's unfortunate. We kind of let the Springboks get ahead in the first two minutes and we were chasing the game after that.
“But I'm proud of the boys, we stuck in there and fought but we came up short. It's a bitter pill to swallow but we need to go again next week.
“Our inaccuracy and discipline, they punished us today. We've got to sort that out. We've lost the battle tonight but we haven't lost the war - we'll go again,” he added.
Kolbe: 'We want to do the jersey proud'
18:18 , Chris WilsonSouth Africa's Cheslin Kolbe was named player of the match, and here’s what he had to say at full-time:
“We could feel the mood in the week this week from South Africa fans. When we get the opportunity to wear this jersey, we want to do you guys proud, we want to do the jersey proud.
“Thank you for being behind us and sticking with us, we'll just keep going from here and continue to learn."
On his own performance, he added: “That's Test rugby, you need to take every point that's given to you. Last week we didn't capitalise on that and it's credit to the boys for sticking to the plan today and taking the points on offer.”
FULL-TIME! South Africa 33-26 New Zealand
18:12 , Chris Wilson
FULL-TIME! South Africa 33-26 New Zealand
18:02 , Chris WilsonSouth Africa recover the ball and it’s kicked into touch for full-time!
A great win for the hosts in an attritional contest in Cape Town, and a great game for the neutral too.
We’ll await another absorbing contest in Johannesburg next week!
South Africa 33-26 New Zealand
18:01 , Chris Wilson80 mins
Patience could be key for New Zealand here as they look to wear down the hosts. We’ve heard the buzzer here, so this is it!
New Zealand go wide but Jordan isn’t taking a chance, diverting his run inside to keep possession.
They go wide to Jordan again...and he’s given away a penalty for holding on! That’s it!
South Africa 33-26 New Zealand
17:59 , Chris Wilson78 mins
It’s tense as we come into the final minute or so in Cape Town.
The All Blacks just about manage to keep it in from their lineout, and now South Africa’s Lood de Jager is heading to the sin bin for a head-on-head tackle!
New Zealand go long with the penalty and they’ll have the lineout.
They couldn’t, could they?
TRY! South Africa 33-26 New Zealand
17:56 , Chris Wilson76 mins
New Zealand go wide immediately and it’s looped across to Jordan, but there are too many bodies in the way and he goes to groun a couple of metres out.
The All Blacks recover quickly though, and Savea crosses late on to give his side some belief!
The conversion is an easy one and the lead is seven points now!
South Africa 33-19 New Zealand
17:54 , Chris Wilson75 mins
Etzebeth gets a hand to the lineout but knocks it on, and we come back for a scrum just within the 22m line.
South Africa 33-19 New Zealand
17:53 , Chris Wilson73 mins
Time is running out for New Zealand but they do win a penalty, which ends with a lineout near the 5m line. It was Esterhuizen who was offside this time.
PENALTY! South Africa 33-19 New Zealand
17:50 , Chris Wilson71 mins
The penalty is right on the 10m and in a central area so it’s no problem for Kolbe, who rifles it through for three points. The lead is 14!
South Africa 30-19 New Zealand
17:50 , Chris Wilson70 mins
Under 10 minutes left now and the All Blacks trail by 11 points.
They’ve not helped themselves either here, as they concede a penalty after deciding to run out of trouble in their own half.
TRY! South Africa 30-19 New Zealand
17:47 , Chris Wilson66 mins
TRY! What a try this is! It’s superb hands from the All Blacks, with a couple of looped passes thrown wide before Leroy Carter picks it up.
He’s still got a lot to do but the pace is impressive, and he manages to shrug off the challenge from Libbok to cross in the corner.
The conversion drifts wide though, so thy trail by 11.
South Africa 30-14 New Zealand
17:43 , Chris Wilson64 mins
What a vital win from Etzebeth! He goes high and collects from the lineout, stopping New Zealand in their tracks.
South Africa clear and the All Blacks will have to reset.
South Africa 30-14 New Zealand
17:41 , Chris Wilson62 mins
New Zealand are happy to work it through the phases with the forwards, though they’re looking to go wide as soon as they can.
Into phase 12 and they’ve lost momentum, until Nche is penalised for being offside. There’s no advantage in the end and the All Blacks opt to kick for the lineout, and it’ll be taken from about 10m out.
South Africa 30-14 New Zealand
17:39 , Chris Wilson60 mins
The game has slowed down – especially compared to the first half – and there have been plenty of knock-ons and penalties in the opening 15 minutes or so.
New Zealand spread it wide from the scrum and Jordan makes up good ground, before Barrett does the same.
South Africa 30-14 New Zealand
17:36 , Chris Wilson57 mins
It turns out there was a knock-on from Reinach when collecting from the ruck, so it’ll be a scrum for the All Blacks near halfway.
We have more subs too, as van den Berg and Louw come on for du Toit and Reinach.
Aumua, Newell and Lakai are on for the All Blacks too.
South Africa 30-14 New Zealand
17:33 , Chris Wilson56 mins
Love reads it well and calls the mark before making a good clearing kick.
The hosts collect from the lineout on their 10m line. There’s almost an interception in there but Libbok breaks free before the attack breaks down. Was that a deliberate knock-on from Jacobson?
South Africa 30-14 New Zealand
17:30 , Chris Wilson54 mins
New Zealand look to strike back right away, and they’ve crossed the gain line a couple of times as they work through the phases.
It breaks down though as they look to go wide and Kolbe intercepts! He can’t do a lot with it though as he’s too isolated, so he opts for the kick and it’s collected by the visiting defence.
The hosts settle for a lineout in the New Zealand half.
PENALTY! South Africa 30-14 New Zealand
17:27 , Chris Wilson50 mins
New Zealand try and run it out of trouble but they’re penalised for not releasing, and South Africa have another shot at goal.
Easy stuff for Kolbe and the lead is 16!
PENALTY! South Africa 27-14 New Zealand
17:25 , Chris Wilson49 mins
The Boks win another penalty, this one for an obstruction. They opt for a shot at goal from 30-odd metres.
Kolbe lines it up and splits the post, taking his side 13 points ahead!
South Africa 24-14 New Zealand
17:22 , Chris Wilson46 mins
We’ve taken a good few minutes for this scrum, with the referee having a word with both sets of players a couple of times. It’s a slippy surface in Cape Town to be fair to them.
And here’s the fourth collapse as the players are ordered to “stay high”.
And in the end the free-kick goes against Nche for “moving his head in”.
New Zealand waste it completely though, with Jacobson conceding a penalty straight away for entering from the side of the ruck!
South Africa 24-14 New Zealand
17:17 , Chris Wilson44 mins
It briefly looks promising for New Zealand but it’s lost forward in the tackle by Taylor. It’ll be a scrum on the 22m line for South Africa.
South Africa 24-14 New Zealand
17:16 , Chris Wilson43 mins
Decent work from Carter to make space down the left, before the kick from the wing gives the hosts a lineout. They win it but the clearance isn’t great, and now the All Blacks will throw in near the 22m line.
Two changes for South Africa, with Libbok and Esterhuizen coming on for Willemse and Kolisi.
KICK-OFF! South Africa 24-14 New Zealand
17:14 , Chris WilsonLove gets us started again in Cape Town!
South Africa collects the kick but Reinach’s box kick cedes possession to the All Blacks.
HALF-TIME! South Africa 24-14 New Zealand
17:13 , Chris WilsonThe players will be back onto the pitch at any moment now, so we’ll be back underway soon!
HALF-TIME! South Africa 24-14 New Zealand
17:09 , Chris WilsonIt’s been a fascinating encounter in Cape Town, with both sides playing some brilliant stuff at times.
However, it’s the Springboks who are 10 points ahead at half-time, and they look likely to level this series this afternoon (especially if they can perform like that in the second half too).
The All Blacks still look dangerous and it can all switch at any moment, though the hosts’ pure power has been a problem for them in the opening 40 minutes.
It feels like a big 40 minutes is incoming!
HALF-TIME! South Africa 24-14 New Zealand
17:04 , Chris Wilson
HALF-TIME! South Africa 24-14 New Zealand
16:58 , Chris Wilson40 mins
We’ve gone past 40 minutes here as the All Blacks look to move back to within a score.
Simon Parker finds space in the middle and the forward gains plenty of territory with that run.
Marx makes a crunching tackle near halfway and the ball is knocked on, and that is that! Half-time in Cape Town.
TRY! South Africa 24-14 New Zealand
16:56 , Chris Wilson37 mins
TRY!
The scrum ends in a penalty for South Africa and they go again.
The Springboks win it and Kolbe drives, then du Toit as they go through the phases.
It finally comes to Kolisi, who spots the gap and bursts through it to go over.
South Africa 17-14 New Zealand
16:53 , Chris Wilson34 mins
There have been some exchanges of possession but the hosts retain it in their half, with a box kick from Williams leads to Hooker re-gathering it superbly.
It comes across to Feinberg-Mngomezulu, whose cross-field kick is chased well by Kolbe, who eventually wins the penalty on the 5m line for holding on! It’ll be a South Africa scrum.
Nche and Marx are on for Fourie and Steenekamp.
TRY! South Africa 17-14 New Zealand
16:47 , Chris Wilson30 mins
TRY! A lovely move from the All Blacks.
It all comes from superb work from Savea, who picks up a loose ball from the lineout before sneaking through inside and escaping a couple of tackles.
Once he’s down they opt to move it wide straight away, going through the hands before Tupaea slides it to McKenzie, who goes over right in the corner.
Not the easiest of conversions but it splits the posts and the visitors are back within three.
South Africa 17-7 New Zealand
16:45 , Chris Wilson28 mins
South Africa eventually lose out as they concede a penalty, and Love manages to grab plenty of territory with a kick.
South Africa 17-7 New Zealand
16:43 , Chris Wilson26 mins
The All Blacks think they have a golden chance as a kick is chased down back over the South Africa try line, but Barrett can’t get to it.
The hosts recover well though, winning a penalty advantage and moving it through the hands to the wide areas, where Kriel finds du Toit back inside. They must have gained 50m there!
TRY! South Africa 17-7 New Zealand
16:39 , Chris Wilson22 mins
TRY! South Africa are over the line again! We’ll need a TMO check but it looks good...and it is!
Damian de Allende finally crosses after a maul and a couple of phases, with some route one rugby paying off for the hosts.
The conversion is another easy one and the lead extends to 10.
South Africa 10-7 New Zealand
16:37 , Chris Wilson21 mins
that penalty has restored South Africa’s dominance too, with the Springboks putting plenty of pressure on the All Blacks defence straight away. Route one stuff as they approach the try line...
PENALTY! South Africa 10-7 New Zealand
16:36 , Chris Wilson19 mins
Cheslin Kolbe restores his side’s lead with a penalty, with Tupou Vaa'i guilty of conceding almost straight away from the restart.
TRY! South Africa 7-7 New Zealand
16:33 , Chris Wilson16 mins
TRY! New Zealand are level.
The All Blacks just about hold onto it in their lineout and they opt to move it through the hands, with McKenzie taking the contact.
The visitors then spring a move through the hands, a couple of dummy runners coming in behind before it’s spread all the way wide to Jordan.
The prolific winger beats his man easily before dragging in the last defender and shipping it inside to Roigard, who goes over unchallenged.
The kick is an easy one for Ruben Love and that levels it!
South Africa 7-0 New Zealand
16:30 , Chris Wilson13 mins
The hosts win the scrum and Feinberg-Mngomezulu clears.
The Springboks win the lineout well but they go beyond the ball in the next ruck though, and the All Blacks recover possession!
South Africa 7-0 New Zealand
16:26 , Chris Wilson12 mins
The lineout ends with a knock-on from the All Balcks, so we’ll have a South Africa scrum on the 5m line.
South Africa 7-0 New Zealand
16:26 , Chris Wilson11 mins
The visitors have dominated the ball since that opening try, with a knock-on from Reinach allowing them back into possession.
New Zealand spread it wide as a kick makes its way to Jordan, but Feinberg-Mngomezulu was there to make the covering tackle.
In the end, the All Blacks are awarded a penalty for hands in the ruck, and they opt to kick for touch around 5m out.
South Africa 7-0 New Zealand
16:21 , Chris Wilson6 mins
Clever running from Roigard earns New Zealand plenty of territory, the All Blacks’ scrum-half doing well to take the ball from the lineout and dummy run around the blind side.
However, he’s isolated and New Zealand settle for another lineout, with a solid 30m or so gained.
We’re seeing the All Blacks with the ball in hand for the first time but the Springboks are holding firm.
TRY! South Africa 7-0 New Zealand
16:18 , Chris Wilson2 mins
TRY! Not even two minutes gone and the hosts are ahead!
The hosts create the maul as they get deep into the All Blacks’ half. Kolisi carries over the gain line, before Reinach takes it from the ruck and ships it to Kriel. The 13 spots the gap from a few yards out and crashes over to open the scoring.
Kolbe nails the conversion and it’s maximum points on the board!
KICK-OFF! South Africa 0-0 New Zealand
16:14 , Chris WilsonFeinberg-Mngomezulu takes the kick as South Africa get us started in Cape Town! Game on.
South Africa vs New Zealand LIVE
16:11 , Chris WilsonCodie Taylor is leading the All Blacks’s Haka in the lead-up to kick-off. It looks like a great atmosphere in Cape Town.
South Africa vs New Zealand LIVE
16:08 , Chris WilsonWe’re underway with the national anthems, so kick-off is only moments away...
Team news – South Africa
16:05 , Chris WilsonSome mind games from Rassie Erasmus here, as he opts to change the entire front row as part of five changes to the original line-up which was announced at the start of the week.
Here’s the new Springboks line-up:
South Africa XV: Damian Willemse; Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Ethan Hooker; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach; Gerhard Steenekamp, Dean Fourie, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Ruan Nortje, Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jasper Wiese.
Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, Wilco Louw, Lood de Jager, Andre Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Morne van den Berg, Manie Libbok.
South Africa vs New Zealand LIVE
16:00 , Chris WilsonJust 10 minutes or so until kick-off in Cape Town. Can the Springboks level the series this afternoon?
Second Test match officials
15:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleGeorgia’s Nika Amashukeli had been due to take charge today but is unwell, and will instead referee the third Test in Johannesburg next weekend. It is Angus Gardner, then, who has the whistle – the experienced Australian is our referee.
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referee 1: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referee 2: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (France)
Kicking battle in focus
15:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt felt like the Springboks had much the better of the kicking battle for the first hour at Ellis Park, with the All Blacks’ back three struggling in the air and thus for territory as a result. New Zealand got joy, though, late on by keeping their kicks low, with Quinn Tupaea and Jordie Barrett each producing beautifully-measured grubbers to pin their hosts in the corner. The forecast has improved for Cape Town as the week went on, though I’d expect to see boot put to ball with regularity.
Springboks hope to draw on past experiences to battle back
15:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleLosing the first game of a series is not necessarily new for the Springboks, who fought back from 1-0 down to beat the British and Irish Lions in 2021, and also lost their World Cup opener against New Zealand in 2019 before going on to lift the trophy.
“It’s important. All the games are. The nice thing is most of us have been in this position before in the British & Irish Lions Series and in the Rugby World Cup, so we know how to handle things on and off the field,” Siya Kolisi said ahead of the second Test.
“But the most significant aspect now is actually on the field. We need to play and execute our game plan well. When we watched last week’s game, we saw the opportunities we missed, and if we had converted those, things might have been very different. That said, experience means nothing if you don’t learn from the mistakes you made the week before.”
Team news – New Zealand
15:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleNew Zealand are forced into two tight five changes after Ethan de Groot and Josh Lord suffered head injuries in the first Test. George Bower steps in for the former having impressed at loosehead off the bench, while Tupou Vaa’i slides a row forward from blindside to lock as Fabian Holland’s partner.
Simon Parker is therefore brought in on the flank, while Leroy Carter is preferred to Josh Moorby on the left wing.
New Zealand XV: 1 George Bower, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax; 4 Fabian Holland, 5 Tupou Vaa’i; 6 Simon Parker, 7 Luke Jacobson, 8 Ardie Savea (capt.); 9 Cam Roigard, 10 Ruben Love; 11 Leroy Carter, 12 Jordie Barrett, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 14 Will Jordan; 15 Damian McKenzie.
Repacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Peter Lakai; 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Josh Moorby.
Team news – South Africa
15:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleSiya Kolisi returns to captain the Springboks having been left out of the first Test squad, while Handre Pollard had originally been named at fly half before suffering a niggle in training. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu therefore retains the No 10 shirt, with Cheslin Kolbe also brought in to the starting side on Friday at Kurt-Lee Arendse’s expense.
The 39-year-old Deon Fourie is primed for his first international appearance since the 2023 World Cup final after being named as hooking cover for Malcolm Marx.
South Africa XV: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Wilco Louw; 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Ruan Nortje; 6 Siya Kolisi (capt.), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Cobus Reinach, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu; 11 Ethan Hooker, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Cheslin Kolbe; 15 Damian Willemse.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Cameron Hanekom; 22 Morne van den Berg, 23 Manie Libbok.
The deeper significance behind South Africa and New Zealand’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series
15:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere will be a few All Blacks fans in Cape Town today, you’d think, both over from New Zealand and due to a piece of the rich history between these two rivals. You can find out more about past meetings between the pair here:
The deeper significance behind the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry schedule, results, kick-off times and how to watch South Africa vs New Zealand
14:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleThis is Test two of four mighty meetings between these two, with all of the other tour action now out of the way. Here’s a reminder of the full Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry itinerary.
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry schedule and how to watch Springboks v All Blacks
Springboks prop defends methods
14:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleDave Rennie’s comments prompted a response from Thomas du Toit, who is set to feature off the bench for South Africa today.
“I can’t really make any comments on what Dave Rennie has spoken to World Rugby about, but we try and stay within the laws of the game as much as we can and as much as we perceive it,” Du Toit said.
“There are always two sides to the coin. One person sees one thing, one person sees another thing. So one person’s walking around as the other person’s straight. Something happens on the other side of the scrum as well.
“The ref can only blow what he sees in front of him. So much credit has to go to the referees and the way that they see these things. They try and see everything and it must be so difficult to get that part right.”
All Blacks boss questions Springboks scrummaging tactics ahead of second Test
14:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleNew Zealand head coach Dave Rennie has revealed that he has raised concerns over South Africa’s scrummaging tactics ahead of the second Test between the two teams in Cape Town.
The All Blacks went 1-0 up in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series with a 33-16 win at Ellis Park on Saturday, but struggled to combat the Springboks’ power at the set-piece.
The tourists were largely on the back foot throughout, though did win a pivotal penalty at a second-half scrum in the shadow of their own posts to help turn momentum with the hosts penalised for failing to drive straight.
And Rennie has spoken to the match officials about South Africa’s scrum set-up as he seeks improvements from his side.
New Zealand boss questions Springboks scrummaging tactics ahead of second Test
Springboks forced into late changes for second Test as Handre Pollard ruled out and Cheslin Kolbe starts
14:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe team named on Monday will not be the one that takes the field today, mind. Handre Pollard picked up a niggle in training on Wednesday and has been ruled out for South Africa, but there was the opposite news on Cheslin Kolbe, fit to feature having originally been left out.
Springboks forced into late changes for second Test as Handre Pollard ruled out
Springboks make Siya Kolisi decision ahead of second Test against New Zealand
14:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleSouth Africa’s reaction to a first defeat in 12 matches was to name their side for the second Test as soon as possible – with Siya Kolisi brought back in.
Springboks make Siya Kolisi decision ahead of second Test against New Zealand
New Zealand stun South Africa to make statement start to Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series
14:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt was a stunning start to the landmark series, with New Zealand overturning South Africa at Ellis Park last week.
All Blacks stun Springboks to make statement start to Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series
Can the All Blacks bar up?
Friday 28 August 2026 14:28 , Harry Latham-CoyleGeorge Bower made a huge difference after coming on for New Zealand last week, though it also felt like the removal of Ox Nche and Wilco Louw depowered the Springboks scrum a bit. Will they enjoy the same advantage they did for much of that contest? Xavier Numia – while full of talent and coming off an outstanding season for the Hurricanes – is on the lighter side as a loosehead. As ever, it is a battle that will be key, as Dave Rennie’s comments made clear.
It is fascinating, too, that the Springboks have made this late switch...
Changes to the Bok team to face the All Blacks in Cape Town will see Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, and Thomas du Toit start the match in the front row, while Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, and Wilco Louw will switch to the replacements bench 🔁
— Springboks (@Springboks) August 29, 2026
Live updates in our match centre:… pic.twitter.com/hw8snr4R5D
South Africa vs New Zealand LIVE
Friday 28 August 2026 10:52 , Harry Latham-CoyleAfter a thrilling first Test that set up the series perfectly, South Africa and New Zealand collide again in another mighty meeting of southern hemisphere rivals. Can the Springboks hit back? Or will the All Blacks ensure that they cannot lose the inaugural Rugby Greatest Rivalry series?
Kick off in Cape Town is at 4.10pm BST.
