Wednesday 5 August 2015 11:59, UK
Jean de Villiers returns to captain South Africa for Saturday's Rugby Championship clash with Argentina in Durban.
The veteran of 106 Tests starts for the Springboks for the first time since suffering a freak knee injury against Wales in November last year.
At the time it was uncertain whether the 34-year-old would play again, but he continues his remarkable recovery by skippering the team in their penultimate match before they kick off their World Cup campaign against Japan in Brighton on September 19.
To accommodate De Villiers' return at outside centre, coach Heyneke Meyer has moved newcomer Jesse Kriel to the wing, where he takes over from Cornal Hendricks who started in South Africa's 27-20 defeat to New Zealand at Ellis Park.
Kriel has impressed in his first two Tests, scoring against the Wallabies and the All Blacks.
De Villiers came off the bench for the Springboks against the World XV before making two appearances for Currie Cup side Western Province, and Meyer is happy with the rehabilitation of his captain.
"Jean's comeback is truly remarkable and very inspirational and I can't wait to see what he can offer playing next to exciting youngsters such as Handre Pollard, Damian (De Allende) and Jesse (Kriel)," said Meyer.
"Jean now has 160 minutes of rugby behind him since his comeback a month ago and I'm very satisfied that he will be able to make his mark as player and captain."
In the front row, Vincent Koch makes his first start for his country after making his debut off the bench against the All Blacks.
The Stormers prop replaces Jannie du Plessis in the No 3 jersey, with Du Plessis another short-term injury concern for the Springboks.
Marcell Coetzee returns to the team in the only other change from the side that suffered a second consecutive Rugby Championship loss in Johannesburg, with Francois Louw excluded from the 23 this week.
Coetzee missed the game after picking up an injury against the Wallabies earlier last month.
Another player returning from long-term injury is lock Pieter-Stef du Toit, who takes his place on the bench.
The talented second rower last featured for the Springboks against France in 2013, after suffering a series of unfortunate injuries.
South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Jesse Kriel, 13 Jean de Villiers (c), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Ruan Pienaar; 1 Tendai Mtawarira, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 3 Vincent Koch, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Lood de Jager, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 8 Schalk Burger.
Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Marcel van der Merwe, 19 Pieter-Stef du Toit, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Lwazi Mvovo.
Watch the Springboks take on Argentina in the Rugby Championship, live on Sky Sports 3 from 3.30pm.
