Overview
- New Zealand beat South Africa 33-16 at Ellis Park on Saturday, August 22, ending the Springboks' 12‑match run and moving the All Blacks to world number one.
- Injuries and head injury assessments from the first Test are shaping availability, with Anton Segner ruled out this week for a swollen ankle and two All Blacks (Ethan De Groot and Josh Lord) on a reported 12‑day concussion stand‑down.
- Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named Handré Pollard and Cobus Reinach as his new starting half‑back pairing while Ethan Hooker replaces Cheslin Kolbe on the wing and Siya Kolisi is bracketed with Paul de Villiers as his hamstring is monitored.
- New Zealand will field a rotated, non‑first‑choice side against the Lions midweek and have called up Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Jamie Hannah as cover, while the Lions have been bolstered by released Springbok players Quan Horn and Boan Venter.
- The compressed tour schedule raises stakes for squad depth and tactics, with Pieter‑Steph du Toit due to win his 100th cap and Ox Nché his 50th, and the series now requires South Africa to win the next three Tests to claim the four‑match tie.