Durban - Springbok coach Peter de Villiers made three changes to the match 22 that beat the All Blacks by 28-19 in Bloemfontein last weekend – one in the starting XV and two on the bench - for Saturday’s second Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand at the Absa Stadium in Durban. 

At flyhalf, Morné Steyn starts ahead of Ruan Pienaar, who is injured. Lock Andries Bekker returns in the place of loose forward Ryan Kankowski on the bench, along with fit-again centre Adi Jacobs, who takes Morné Steyn’s place amongst the reserves.

Springbok wing Bryan Habana and centre Jean de Villiers will both earn their 50th Test caps for South Africa, while Bok captain John Smit becomes the sole record-holder for the most experienced Test captain ever.

Habana, the International Rugby Board’s Player of the Year for 2007 and SA Rugby’s Player of the Year in 2005 and 2007, made his Springbok debut as a replacement against England on November 20, 2004 at Twickenham. With 33 Test tries he is second behind Joost van der Westhuizen on the list of top try scorers for South Africa.

De Villiers, SA Rugby’s Player of the Year for 2008, made his Springbok debut on November 9, 2002 in Marseilles against France. Because of injury he only played his second Test against the Pacific Islands in Gosford on July 17, 2004. Of his 49 Tests to date, De Villiers has played 11 on the wing and 38 at centre. He will equal De Wet Barry’s record for Bok Tests at centre this weekend, with 39.

Smit will lead the Boks for the 60th time in his 86th Test. Last weekend he equaled the record previously held by Wallaby skipper George Gregan and England’s Will Carling.

The Springbok team is (Test caps in brackets):
15. Frans Steyn (31)
14. JP Pietersen (27)
13. Jaque Fourie (46)
12. Jean de Villiers (49)
11. Bryan Habana (49)
10. Morné Steyn (4)
9. Fourie du Preez (47)
8. Pierre Spies (23)
7. Juan Smith (58)
6. Heinrich Brüssow (5)
5. Victor Matfield (84)
4. Bakkies Botha (58)
3. John Smit (85) – Captain
2. Bismarck du Plessis (25)
1. Tendai Mtawarira (14)

Reserves:

16. Chiliboy Ralepelle (5)
17. Jannie du Plessis (8)
18. Andries Bekker (15)
19. Danie Rossouw (39)
20. Ricky Januarie (36)
21. Adi Jacobs (23)
22. Wynand Olivier (23)