The Springboks have made five changes to the starting line-up for their Rugby World Cup Pool D match against their neighbours Namibia in Auckland on Thursday.
Wing Gio Aplon, scrumhalf Francois Hougaard, utility forward Willem Alberts and tighthead prop CJ van der Linde will all get their first starts of the tournament while Bryan Habana returns from injury to resume his role in the No 11 jersey.
Four players – locks Victor Matfield and Johann Muller, centre Jean de Villiers and flyhalf Butch James – are still unavailable for selection due to injury and have not been considered for the match.
In attempt to keep legs fresh Springbok coach Peter de Villiers have moved Scrumhalf Fourie du Preez and flanker Heinrich Brüssow to the bench while wings JP Pietersen and Odwa Ndungane and tighthead prop Jannie du Plessis were rested altogether.
In one other change on the bench, Chiliboy Ralepelle has been included in a match 22 for the first time replacing Bismarck du Plessis, who is rested.
The match on Thursday will kick off at 8pm New Zealand time (10am SA time).
Springbok team
15. Pat Lambie, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Jaque Fourie, 12. Frans Steyn, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Francois Hougaard, 8. Pierre Spies, 7. Schalk Burger, 6. Willem Alberts, 5. Danie Rossouw, 4. Bakkies Botha, 3. CJ van der Linde, 2. John Smit (captain), 1. Gurthro Steenkamp
Replacements: 16. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17. Tendai Mtawarira, 18. Francois Louw, 19. Heinrich Brüssow, 20. Fourie du Preez, 21. Ruan Pienaar, 22. Juan de Jongh
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