Coach Steve Hansen made 12 changes from the side that beat Argentina.
Only lock Sam Whitelock and wingers Julian Savea and Nehe Milner-Skudder remain from the team that edged out the Pumas 26-16 on Sunday -- a sign of the depth of talent Hansen has at his disposal.
Kane, who has played 25 matches for his country, came on as a replacement on Sunday to score the All Blacks' final try that put the Pumas out of reach.
Another substitute from that game, hulking centre Sonny Bill Williams, played a major part in steadying the ship for a nervous-looking New Zealand, and is rewarded with a starting spot against Namibia, the lowest-ranked team in the tournament.
Veterans Richie McCaw and Tony Woodcock drop to a bench that boasts 660 test caps' worth of experience. The 23-man squad has a combined total of 1,061 caps.
If McCaw comes on as a replacement, it will be his 18th Rugby World Cup appearance, breaking the record of 17 he shares with Sean Fitzpatrick.
Team: 1-Ben Franks, 2-Codie Taylor, 3-Charlie Faumuina, 4-Luke Romano, 5-Sam Whitelock, 6-Liam Messam, 7-Sam Cane (captain), 8-Victor Vito; 9-TJ Perenara, 10-Beauden Barrett, 11-Julian Savea, 12-Sonny Bill Williams, 13-Malakai Fekitoa, 14-Nehe Milner-Skudder, 15-Colin Slade
Replacements: 16-Keven Mealamu, 17-Wyatt Crockett, 18-Tony Woodcock, 19-Kieran Read, 20-Richie McCaw, 21-Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22-Ma'a Nonu, 23-Ben Smith
(Reporting by John Geddie, editing by Ed Osmond)
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