Durban - Pat Lambie will start at fullback for the Springboks against Fiji in their Pool D Rugby World Cup 2011 match in Wellington on Saturday.
This is one of four changes made to the Bok starting line-up. Two more changes have been made on the bench.
The Bok casualty list consisted of some big names with lock Victor Matfield (hamstring) and backs Butch James (hip flexor), Jean de Villiers (rib cartilage) and Bryan Habana (patella tendon) all unavailable for selection due to injury.
Johann Muller will undergo a late fitness test on a tight hamstring and Francois Louw will step in for him on the bench if he is unavailable.
Matfield's place is taken by the returning Bakkies Botha, while Odwa Ndungane steps into the left wing berth in place of Habana.
Frans Steyn has been moved forward to fill in for De Villiers at inside centre and James' place on the bench is taken by the versatile Ruan Pienaar.
The former Sharks player appeared at scrumhalf, flyhalf and fullback for the Springboks.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers also made two tactical changes. Gurthro Steenkamp was promoted to start at loosehead prop in place of Tendai Mtawarira (who drops to the bench).
Juan de Jongh is to make a first appearance on a Rugby World Cup team sheet.
De Villiers said Willem Alberts would act as a replacement lock if Muller failed to recover sufficiently.
"We have had injury problems at lock but we have versatile players to cover for most situations. Danie Rossouw has now been picked to start at 4, 5, 7 and 8 this season and will call the lineouts this weekend.
"Willem Alberts is on the bench to cover four of the back five positions in the pack and we have a couple of scrumhalves on the bench who cover three other positions as well, so we are fortunate.
"Against a tough proposition like Fiji, you'd prefer to have all your players available but this is tournament rugby and we picked our squad knowing that we would have to cover for many situations," said the coach.
The Springboks have played Fiji twice before, winning both games. In 1996, they recorded a 43-18 win in Pretoria before recording a 37-20 victory over Fiji in the quarterfinals of the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Saturday's match kicks off at 6pm (8am SA time).
Teams:
South Africa: 15 Pat Lambie, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Fourie Du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Danie Rossouw 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Jannie Du Plessis, 2 John Smit (captain), 1 Gurthro Steenkamp
Substitutes: 16 Bismarck du Plessis 17 Tendai Mtawarira 18 Johann Muller 19 Willem Alberts 20 Fancois Hougaard 21 Ruan Pienaar 22 Juan de Jongh
Fiji: 15 Kini Murimurivalu, 14 Vereniki Goneva, 13 Gaby Lovobalavu, 12 Seremaia Bai, 11 Naipolioni Nalaga, 10 Waisea Sedre Luveniyali, 9 Nemia Kenatale, 8 Sakiusa Matadigo, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Dominiko Maiwiriwiri Waqaniburotu, 5 Wame Lewaravu, 4 Leone Nakarawa, 3 Deacon Manu (captain), 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Campese Ma'afu
Substitutes: 16 Telemaitoga Dautu Tuapati, 17 Waisea Nailago, 18 Netani Edward Talei, 19 Sisa Koyamaibole, 20 Vitori Tomu Buatava, 21 Nicky Little, 22 Gaby Lovobalavu. - BuaNews
