South Africa coach Peter De Villiers has named his starting XV for Saturday’s Tri-Nations opener against New Zealand in Auckland.
Bakkies Botha has won his battle to recover from a hamstring injury and will partner Victor Matfield in the second row, with another lock, Danie Rossouw, also deemed fit enough after a hip problem o take his place among the replacements.
Zane Kirchner wins his eighth cap at full back with former Munster centre Jean de Villiers (pictured top) surprisingly named on the right wing. As usual, Bryan Habana will offer a scoring threat from the left wing with Jaque Fourie and Wynand Olivier in the centre and Ricky Januarie and Morne Steyn partnered at half back.
The Ulster duo of prop BJ Botha and versatile back Ruan Pienaar take their place on the bench
South Africa: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Jean de Villiers, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 John Smit (c), 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 BJ Botha, 18 Andries Bekker, 19 Danie Rossouw, 20 Ruan Pienaar, 21 Butch James, 22 Gio Aplon.
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