SA v New Zealand: Teams
South Africa go in search of back-to-back wins against arch-rivals New Zealand when the sides clash in Durban, live on Sky Sports.
Last Updated: 15/08/08 10:24am
World champions South Africa go in search of back-to-back wins against arch-rivals New Zealand when the sides meet in a mouth-watering Tri-Nations showdown in Durban.
The Springboks have seldom registered two wins on the trot against the All Blacks, but will go into Saturday's match as favourites following their 30-28 victory in Dunedin on July 12.
While the Boks have won just one in three games in this year's competition, they have all three home matches to come, starting with New Zealand at fortress Newlands.
Peter de Villiers' men have five points from their three outings, while New Zealand head the summit with 10 points, but from four games.
While the Boks will be banking on their home support in the coming three weeks, they will also go into Saturday's contest with confidence following their recent 63-9 thrashing of Argentina.
But the world champions will be facing a rejuvenated All Blacks following their much-need 39-10 victory over trans-Tasmanian rivals Australia in their previous Tri-Nations fixture.
All Blacks unchanged
So satisfied was New Zealand coach Graham Henry with that performance he has retained the same side for Saturday's match. The only change comes on the bench where Isaia Toeava gets a chance to play Test rugby for the first time this season.
But the Boks have also been boosted by the return from injury in recent days of flank Schalk Burger and wing Bryan Habana, who both missed the Argentina match.
Also back in the side, and a player rated very highly by Henry, is scrum-half Fourie du Preez, who will feature in his first Test of the year.
The Boks though will have to do without towering lock Bakkies Botha, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the competition because of a knee injury.
His place is taken by lock Andries Bekker, who faces the biggest challenge of his promising international career.
Another player who will be hoping to come good on the day is veteran full-back Percy Montgomery who will become the first South African to reach the 100 Test mark as he replaces Conrad Jantjes.
South Africa: 15 Percy Montgomery, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Butch James, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Andries Bekker, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Brian Mujati, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Luke Watson, 20 Enrico Januarie, 21 Francois Steyn, 22 Conrad Jantjes.
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Richard Kahui, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Willliams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 John Afoa, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Isaia Toeava.