Carter and Parker to start for the All Blacks in second Springboks test

A big chance for Leroy Carter and Simon Parker to prove their worth.

The Chiefs duo will start for the All Blacks in Sunday morning’s second test against the Springboks in Cape Town.

Carter’s the only unforced change to the 23, swapping places on the left-wing with Josh Moorby, who drops to the bench.

Coach Dave Rennie said the decision came down to one crucial factor.

"It was a really tight choice even last week,” Rennie said at the team naming press conference.

“I think if you looked at Leroy, probably a better defender, and we think that'll be important.”

Carter says defence is an area of the game that he’s always worked hard on.

“Yeah, 100%. Definitely pride myself on it,” Carter said.

“I guess it came a little bit from the Sevens program, just all the skill sets you learn playing that game."

Something Carter wouldn’t have dealt with from his days in the All Blacks Sevens is catching high kicks.

The weather forecast for Cape Town is wet with the Springboks expected to pepper the All Blacks back-three with an aerial bombardment.

Carter had a tongue-in-cheek response when asked about how he plans to deal with the ball in the air.

"Yeah, just try to catch it, eh,” Carter joked.

“It's been the goal for a while, but no, we're putting plenty of work into it, and yeah, sometimes we're not getting the scraps right, and they have some good wingers in the air to be fair. We've just got to get up in the air early and catch it."

A head clash in the first test has ruled out lock Josh Lord and prop Ethan de Groot.

Rennie has decided to start George Bower, who was impressive at scrum time in the first test win, and add Xavier Numia to the bench.

Tupou Vaa’i moves from the side of the scrum into his preferred position of lock, allowing Parker another chance to impress on the blindside flank.

He came off the bench at Ellis Park and Rennie likes the attributes the 197cm, 117kg loose-forward brings.

“He really suits us playing the Africans,” Rennie said.

“So he's physical, he gives us a bit of size at six, especially with Toops (Tupou Vaa’i) moving in, so yeah, Simon's been really good on tour."

Parker was one of three players not used during the Nations Championship tests in July and has been forced to wait for his chance.

“Had some good feedback from the coaches, and was just biding my time until my opportunity came,” Parker said.

"It's an exciting opportunity to go up against the world's best."

Meanwhile, there’s been a late change in referee for the second test.

Georgia’s Nika Amashukeli, who was in charge of the All Blacks’ record loss to South Africa in Wellington last year, has pulled out with illness, replaced by Angus Gardner of Australia.

And the Springboks are reportedly sweating on the fitness of Handre Pollard.

According to Netwerk24, the 32-year-old has a calf injury and will not take his place in the number ten jersey.

Mannie Libbok is expected to replace Pollard.