Scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan and prop Ben Franks have been recalled by New Zealand for a Tri-Nations championship showdown with South Africa at Soccer City on Saturday.
Cowan replaces long-time rival Piri Weepu and Franks takes over at tighthead from brother Owen as coach Graham Henry made two changes to the team that beat Australia 20-10 in Christchurch.
Both changes had been the subject of media speculation as the on-song All Blacks seek one point from matches in Johannesburg and Sydney to succeed the Springboks as southern hemisphere champions.
Cowan and Weepu have been competing for some time to start in the No 9 jersey while Ben has replaced Owen in the four Tri-Nations games won by New Zealand as they amassed 19 of a possible 20 points.
Owen Franks is considered a hard worker around the field but tends to concede penalties through careless rucking while many consider Ben the stronger brother and he can also fill in at loosehead.
There are three changes to the Christchurch replacements bench with Weepu, prop John Afoa and fullback Israel Dagg coming in for Alby Matthewson, Owen Franks and Benson Stanley.
After three consecutive beatings by reigning world champions South Africa last year, the All Blacks have turned the tables dramatically with wins by 20 and 14 points in Auckland and Wellington last month.
While an early yellow card to a South African in each game helped smooth the path to victory, there was no doubting the superiority of New Zealand one year before they host the quadrennial Rugby World Cup.
New Zealand have reacted more successfully to new breakdown laws, with skipper Richie McCaw back to his scavenging best while the Boks sorely miss long-term injury victim Heinrich Brussouw.
However, coach Graham Henry has warned his players they are likely to be confronted by a “very different” Bok side this weekend before a sell-out 88 000 crowd at the venue of the 2010 Soccer World Cup won by Spain.
“They will be hugely motivated to turn around these results and we are expecting a hugely physical encounter,” said the coach many expected to be axed after a 2007 World Cup quarterfinal loss to France in Cardiff.
“Playing the Springboks in Soweto before almost 90 000 fans — it does not get much bigger than this. It is going to be a marvellous occasion and a massive challenge, which the team are really looking forward to.”
Team: Mils Muliaina; Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Joe Rokocoko; Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino; Tom Donnelly, Brad Thorn; Ben Franks, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Replacements: Corey Flynn, John Afoa, Sam Whitelock, Victor Vito, Piri Weepu, Aaron Cruden, Israel Dagg. — AFP