South Africa have made four changes, as well as appointing a new captain, for Saturday’s Tri-Nations match against New Zealand at Christchurch.
Lock Johann Muller will skipper the Springboks after Bob Skinstad was sent home when he broke a rib in last weekend’s 25-17 loss to Australia in Sydney.
Loose forward Jacques Cronje was added to the side to replace Skinstad at number eight while Albert van den Berg replaced the injured Johan Ackermann at lock.
Sharks hooker Bismarck du Plessis was awarded his first Test cap at the expense of Gary Botha, joining his brother, prop Jannie du Plessis, in the front row.
The only new addition to the backline was left wing Jaco Pretorius, who replaced fullback Bevan Fortuin. JP Pietersen, who played wing against Australia, was moved to fullback.
South Africa are bottom of the Tri-Nations standings with five points from three matches but still have a mathematical chance of winning the title.
They need to beat New Zealand on Saturday then rely on the All Blacks defeating Australia in Auckland on July 21 in the final game of the tournament. – Reuters
South Africa: 15-JP Pietersen; 14-Breyton Paulse, 13-Waylon Murray, 12-Wynand Olivier, 11-Jaco Pretorius; 10-Derick Hougaard, 9-Ruan Pienaar; 8-Jacques Cronje, 7-Pedrie Wannenburg, 6-Wikus van Heerden, 5-Johann Muller (captain), 4-Albert van den Berg; 3-Jannie du Plessis, 2-Bismarck du Plessis, 1-CJ van der Linde.
Replacements: 16-Gary Botha, 17-Eddie Andrews, 18-Gerrie Britz, 19-Hilton Lobberts, 20-Michael Claassens, 21-Peter Grant, 22-Tonderai Chavhanga.