World Cup-winning captain John Smit has dropped to the bench in one of five changes to the South African rugby team for this weekend's Tri-Nations match against the All Blacks in Port Elizabeth.
The out-of-form Smit is to be replaced at hooker by Sharks team mate Bismarck du Plessis who has produced some sparkling performances recently.
Lock Victor Matfield will captain the Springboks in their final match before they take on Wales at the World Cup on September 11th.
Coach Peter de Villiers says the decision to relegate Smit, who started the last three Tri-Nations games, had been planned in advance.
Gurthro Steenkamp, who was South Africa's player of the year in 2010 but has had an injury-disrupted 2011, starts at loosehead prop, while Sharks loose forward Willem Alberts also makes his first test start ahead of Danie Rossouw.
Pat Lambie replaces the injured Francois Steyn at fullback while Morne Steyn is preferred at first five to 2007 World Cup winner Butch James.
The All Blacks have sent a weakened squad to South Africa that does not include flyhalf Dan Carter, captain Richie McCaw, number eight Kieran Read, lock Brad Thorn, prop Owen Franks, fullback Mils Muliaina and centre Conrad Smith.
South Africa team - 15-Pat Lambie; 14-JP Pietersen, 13-Jaque Fourie, 12-Jean de Villiers, 11-Bryan Habana; 10-Morne Steyn, 9-Fourie du Preez; 8-Pierre Spies, 7-Willem Alberts, 6-Heinrich Brussouw, 5-Victor Matfield, 4-Bakkies Botha, 3-Jannie du Plessis, 2-Bismarck du Plessis, 1-Gurthro Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16-Tendai Mtawarira, 17-John Smit, 18-CJ van der Linde, 19-Danie Rossouw, 20-Ashley Johnson, 21-Francois Hougaard, 22-Butch James.
