Deon Stegmann will make his Test debut for the Springboks against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday, the SA Rugby Union (Saru) has announced.
Uncapped Sharks utility back Patrick Lambie could also make his debut if Jean de Villiers failed a late fitness test, Saru said in a statement, adding that the bench would also include two uncapped players.
Saru said there were eight changes — nine if De Villiers was unavailable — to the team which ended the Tri-Nations against Australia in September.
The six survivors were Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, captain Victor Matfield and Jannie du Plessis.
A seventh, Francois Hougaard, was on the bench, while an eighth, Frans Steyn, would join the squad only after the Ireland match.
Stegmann (24) comes in for Schalk Burger in the number six jersey. Burger broke a rib in the Currie Cup final and withdrew from the touring party.
The 20-year-old Lambie, who was the man of the match in the Absa Currie Cup final after a two-try, 25-point haul on Saturday, is on standby to replace De Villiers at inside centre if he fails to recover from his groin injury.
Lambie’s Sharks’ teammates Willem Alberts or Keegan Daniel (loose forward) and Lwazi Mvovo (wing) could also make their debuts from the bench.
“It’s a new-look side, but with 13 season-ending injuries it couldn’t be anything else,” Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said in announcing the team in Dublin on Thursday.
He was looking on the positive side and using the opportunity to test new players in the toughest conditions, he said.
“We also have a number of senior players returning to the team after long lay-offs for one reason or another and they are keen to re-stake their claim to a starting place.
“We’ve not had much time to bed this new team together, but the players have worked hard all week to be as well prepared as we possibly can be.”
Front rankers Tendai Mtawarira and Bismarck du Plessis make their first appearances of the season, while Bakkies Botha returns after suspension.
Ulster-based Ruan Pienaar returns to the number nine jersey he last wore against the Wallabies in Australia in July, while wing Bjorn Basson and centre Zane Kirchner make their first appearances since June.
De Villiers said the backline selection had been challenging because of injuries to experienced centres Jaque Fourie, Wynand Olivier and Jean de Villiers, and new talent Juan de Jongh, and the unavailability of Frans Steyn.
“Our hand has been forced in our centre selection,” he said. “Hopefully Jean will recover in time but if not, Patrick Lambie has played at inside centre for the Sharks before he was moved to 10 and Zane is defensively strong and a strong ball runner.”
The pack is more settled, with only Stegmann having played fewer than 20 Tests.
“Deon is an openside in the traditional style and has been outstanding for his province,” said De Villiers.
“He is used to playing with Pierre and we need an out and out specialist to counter Ireland at the breakdown.”
South Africa plays Ireland at the Aviva Stadium, in Dublin, on Saturday. – Sapa
Squad
Gio Aplon, Bjorn Basson, Zane Kirchner, Jean de Villiers/ Patrick Lambie, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Ruan Pienaar, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Deon Stegmann, Victor Matfield (capt), Bakkies Botha, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira. Replacements: Chiliboy Ralepelle, CJ van der Linde, Flip van der Merwe, Willem Alberts/ Keegan Daniel, Francois Hougaard, Adi Jacobs, Patrick Lambie/ Lwazi Mvovo.