Four changes, including a Test debut for Cheetahs prop Wian du Preez, are the hallmark of the Springbok team that will face Italy in Udine on Saturday.

All the changes Bok coach Peter de Villiers made were among the forwards.

Du Preez, who first toured with the Boks in 2007 without getting a cap, will play in his first Test on Saturday when he starts ahead of Tendai Mtawarira in the loosehead prop position - with Mtawarira dropping down to the bench.

At hooked Adriaan Strauss comes in for the injured Bismarck du Plessis, Andries Bekker will start ahead of Victor Matfield, who is being rested on the bench, and Danie Rossouw replaces the injured Schalk Burger at flank.

Apart from Du Preez, two other players can make their Test debuts on Saturday - with Jean Deysel (loose forward) and Francois Hougaard (scrumhalf) both named on a bench that also features recalled veteran prop BJ Botha.

South Africa: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Adi Jacobs, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Danie Rossouw, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 John Smit (captain), 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Tendai Mtawarira, 17 BJ Botha, 18 Victor Matfield, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Wynand Olivier.

Date: Saturday, November 21
Venue: Stadio Friuli, Udine
Kick-off: 15.00 (14.00 GMT; 16.00 SA time)
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
Assistant referees: James Jones (Wales), Peter Allan (Scotland)
TMO: Hugh Watkins (Wales)