New Zealand hand debuts to Lima Sopoaga and James Broadhurst against South Africa

Fly-half Lima Sopoaga and lock James Broadhurst will make their New Zealand debuts in Saturday’s Rugby Championship game against South Africa in Johannesburg.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has rewarded the duo for fine seasons in Super Rugby as he gives them a chance to gain Test experience ahead of the World Cup.

Sopoaga's half-back partnership with Aaron Smith helped the Otago Highlanders to their maiden title, while Broadhurst's Wellington Hurricanes were losing finalists.

With Aaron Cruden likely to miss the World Cup because of a knee injury and Dan Carter rested, Sopoaga will have a chance to press for a spot in the World Cup squad ahead of Colin Slade, who drops off the bench to make way for Beauden Barrett.

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Aaron Smith returns at scrum-half and will be tasked with firing a backline that features two other Smiths in Conrad, who is reunited with Ma'a Nonu in the centre, and Ben, who starts on the wing.

Ben Smith comes in for Waisake Naholo, who suffered a leg fracture in the 39-18 victory over Argentina in Christchurch last Friday, and will play out wide to allow Israel Dagg more game time at full-back.

In a pack boasting 500 caps, Liam Messam replaces Jerome Kaino at blindside flanker, Luke Romano drops out of the squad to make way for Broadhurst and Dane Coles gets a start at hooker in place of the rested Keven Mealamu.

The All Blacks are attempting to win a fourth successive title but Hansen said there would be no complacency ahead of one of the showdown with the Springboks, who lost 24-20 to Australia last weekend.

"It doesn't get much bigger or better than playing South Africa at Ellis Park," he said.

"Though we were happier with our game last weekend, there is a genuine desire to take it up a level.

"The Springboks will be desperate after their loss last week and we will have to better that desperation with our own urgency, intensity and accuracy in the execution of our game and skillsets."

New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Charles Piutau, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 1 Tony Woodcock, 2 Dane Coles, 3 Owen Franks, 4 Brodie Retallick, 5 James Broadhurst, 6 Liam Messam, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 8-Kieran Read.

Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Sam Whitelock, 20 Victor Vito, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Malakai Fekitoa.

Watch South Africa v New Zealand live on Sky Sports 1 at 4.05pm on Saturday.