diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index 5bfb7f04..049ecd17 100644
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ require (
 	sigs.k8s.io/controller-runtime v0.19.0
 	sigs.k8s.io/controller-tools v0.16.1
 	sigs.k8s.io/kustomize v2.0.3+incompatible
-	vitess.io/vitess v0.21.0-rc1
+	vitess.io/vitess v0.21.0-rc2
 )
 
 require (
diff --git a/go.sum b/go.sum
index a4dd4f9d..a9d8d63d 100644
--- a/go.sum
+++ b/go.sum
@@ -833,5 +833,5 @@ sigs.k8s.io/structured-merge-diff/v4 v4.4.1/go.mod h1:N8hJocpFajUSSeSJ9bOZ77Vzej
 sigs.k8s.io/yaml v1.2.0/go.mod h1:yfXDCHCao9+ENCvLSE62v9VSji2MKu5jeNfTrofGhJc=
 sigs.k8s.io/yaml v1.4.0 h1:Mk1wCc2gy/F0THH0TAp1QYyJNzRm2KCLy3o5ASXVI5E=
 sigs.k8s.io/yaml v1.4.0/go.mod h1:Ejl7/uTz7PSA4eKMyQCUTnhZYNmLIl+5c2lQPGR2BPY=
-vitess.io/vitess v0.21.0-rc1 h1:qLM1ct3CurpbXiqrESQw1zB77NSVUgXGkLOYJU6greA=
-vitess.io/vitess v0.21.0-rc1/go.mod h1:sKNsbwg+btatBEhGYzuryLwsVTOgl29CRtJrvf4DIDA=
+vitess.io/vitess v0.21.0-rc2 h1:ERnLv4Gz2gzY7NNStTsSRujWSx5nnHjAQwZ4dHjm41w=
+vitess.io/vitess v0.21.0-rc2/go.mod h1:sKNsbwg+btatBEhGYzuryLwsVTOgl29CRtJrvf4DIDA=
diff --git a/pkg/apis/planetscale/v2/defaults.go b/pkg/apis/planetscale/v2/defaults.go
index 9d2bd261..8dc3f342 100644
--- a/pkg/apis/planetscale/v2/defaults.go
+++ b/pkg/apis/planetscale/v2/defaults.go
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ const (
 	// DefaultMysqlPortName is the name for the MySQL port.
 	DefaultMysqlPortName = "mysql"
 
-	defaultVitessLiteImage = "vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1"
+	defaultVitessLiteImage = "vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2"
 	defaultMySQLImage      = "mysql:8.0.30"
 
 	DefaultInitCPURequestMillis   = 100
diff --git a/test/endtoend/operator/101_initial_cluster_backup.yaml b/test/endtoend/operator/101_initial_cluster_backup.yaml
index 8de19682..f8af293c 100644
--- a/test/endtoend/operator/101_initial_cluster_backup.yaml
+++ b/test/endtoend/operator/101_initial_cluster_backup.yaml
@@ -15,11 +15,11 @@ spec:
           path: /backup
           type: Directory
   images:
-    vtctld: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtgate: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vttablet: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtorc: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtbackup: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
+    vtctld: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtgate: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vttablet: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtorc: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtbackup: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
     mysqld:
       mysql80Compatible: mysql:8.0.30
     mysqldExporter: prom/mysqld-exporter:v0.11.0
diff --git a/test/endtoend/operator/101_initial_cluster_backup_schedule.yaml b/test/endtoend/operator/101_initial_cluster_backup_schedule.yaml
index 34353e9c..047e2ea8 100644
--- a/test/endtoend/operator/101_initial_cluster_backup_schedule.yaml
+++ b/test/endtoend/operator/101_initial_cluster_backup_schedule.yaml
@@ -46,11 +46,11 @@ spec:
             keyspace: "commerce"
             shard: "-"
   images:
-    vtctld: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtgate: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vttablet: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtorc: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtbackup: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
+    vtctld: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtgate: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vttablet: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtorc: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtbackup: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
     mysqld:
       mysql80Compatible: mysql:8.0.30
     mysqldExporter: prom/mysqld-exporter:v0.11.0
diff --git a/test/endtoend/operator/101_initial_cluster_unmanaged_tablet.yaml b/test/endtoend/operator/101_initial_cluster_unmanaged_tablet.yaml
index 3b100224..d92d1bca 100644
--- a/test/endtoend/operator/101_initial_cluster_unmanaged_tablet.yaml
+++ b/test/endtoend/operator/101_initial_cluster_unmanaged_tablet.yaml
@@ -8,12 +8,12 @@ metadata:
   name: example
 spec:
   images:
-    vtctld: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtadmin: vitess/vtadmin:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtgate: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vttablet: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtbackup: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtorc: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
+    vtctld: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtadmin: vitess/vtadmin:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtgate: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vttablet: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtbackup: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtorc: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
     mysqld:
       mysql80Compatible: mysql:8.0.30
     mysqldExporter: prom/mysqld-exporter:v0.11.0
diff --git a/test/endtoend/operator/101_initial_cluster_vtorc_vtadmin.yaml b/test/endtoend/operator/101_initial_cluster_vtorc_vtadmin.yaml
index 317d7a3a..95b587ec 100644
--- a/test/endtoend/operator/101_initial_cluster_vtorc_vtadmin.yaml
+++ b/test/endtoend/operator/101_initial_cluster_vtorc_vtadmin.yaml
@@ -8,12 +8,12 @@ metadata:
   name: example
 spec:
   images:
-    vtctld: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtadmin: vitess/vtadmin:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtgate: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vttablet: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtbackup: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtorc: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
+    vtctld: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtadmin: vitess/vtadmin:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtgate: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vttablet: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtbackup: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtorc: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
     mysqld:
       mysql80Compatible: mysql:8.0.30
     mysqldExporter: prom/mysqld-exporter:v0.11.0
diff --git a/test/endtoend/operator/102_keyspace_teardown.yaml b/test/endtoend/operator/102_keyspace_teardown.yaml
index 58a80d53..33e0b9a6 100644
--- a/test/endtoend/operator/102_keyspace_teardown.yaml
+++ b/test/endtoend/operator/102_keyspace_teardown.yaml
@@ -15,11 +15,11 @@ spec:
           path: /backup
           type: Directory
   images:
-    vtctld: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtgate: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vttablet: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtorc: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtbackup: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
+    vtctld: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtgate: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vttablet: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtorc: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtbackup: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
     mysqld:
       mysql80Compatible: mysql:8.0.30
     mysqldExporter: prom/mysqld-exporter:v0.11.0
diff --git a/test/endtoend/operator/201_customer_tablets.yaml b/test/endtoend/operator/201_customer_tablets.yaml
index 92a06b1f..dd24fb32 100644
--- a/test/endtoend/operator/201_customer_tablets.yaml
+++ b/test/endtoend/operator/201_customer_tablets.yaml
@@ -4,11 +4,11 @@ metadata:
   name: example
 spec:
   images:
-    vtctld: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtgate: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vttablet: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtorc: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtbackup: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
+    vtctld: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtgate: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vttablet: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtorc: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtbackup: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
     mysqld:
       mysql80Compatible: mysql:8.0.30
     mysqldExporter: prom/mysqld-exporter:v0.11.0
diff --git a/test/endtoend/operator/302_new_shards.yaml b/test/endtoend/operator/302_new_shards.yaml
index 691c034c..9b478b33 100644
--- a/test/endtoend/operator/302_new_shards.yaml
+++ b/test/endtoend/operator/302_new_shards.yaml
@@ -4,11 +4,11 @@ metadata:
   name: example
 spec:
   images:
-    vtctld: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtgate: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vttablet: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtorc: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtbackup: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
+    vtctld: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtgate: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vttablet: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtorc: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtbackup: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
     mysqld:
       mysql80Compatible: mysql:8.0.30
     mysqldExporter: prom/mysqld-exporter:v0.11.0
diff --git a/test/endtoend/operator/306_down_shard_0.yaml b/test/endtoend/operator/306_down_shard_0.yaml
index f68e8610..d2396829 100644
--- a/test/endtoend/operator/306_down_shard_0.yaml
+++ b/test/endtoend/operator/306_down_shard_0.yaml
@@ -4,11 +4,11 @@ metadata:
   name: example
 spec:
   images:
-    vtctld: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtgate: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vttablet: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtorc: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtbackup: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
+    vtctld: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtgate: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vttablet: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtorc: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtbackup: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
     mysqld:
       mysql80Compatible: mysql:8.0.30
     mysqldExporter: prom/mysqld-exporter:v0.11.0
diff --git a/test/endtoend/operator/cluster_upgrade.yaml b/test/endtoend/operator/cluster_upgrade.yaml
index 315797b7..78cc83f0 100644
--- a/test/endtoend/operator/cluster_upgrade.yaml
+++ b/test/endtoend/operator/cluster_upgrade.yaml
@@ -8,11 +8,11 @@ metadata:
   name: example
 spec:
   images:
-    vtctld: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtgate: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vttablet: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtorc: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
-    vtbackup: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc1
+    vtctld: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtgate: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vttablet: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtorc: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
+    vtbackup: vitess/lite:v21.0.0-rc2
     mysqld:
       mysql80Compatible: mysql:8.0.30
     mysqldExporter: prom/mysqld-exporter:v0.11.0
diff --git a/tools/get-e2e-test-deps.sh b/tools/get-e2e-test-deps.sh
index c74d2ba6..7bad3be1 100755
--- a/tools/get-e2e-test-deps.sh
+++ b/tools/get-e2e-test-deps.sh
@@ -40,8 +40,8 @@ fi
 if ! command -v vtctldclient &> /dev/null
 then
   echo "Downloading vtctldclient..."
-  version=20.0.2
-  file=vitess-${version}-2592c59.tar.gz
+  version=21.0.0-rc2
+  file=vitess-${version}-54fa8d8.tar.gz
   wget https://github.com/vitessio/vitess/releases/download/v${version}/${file}
   tar -xzf ${file}
   cd ${file/.tar.gz/}