John Smit will be at hooker in a team that shows six changes, including two positional switches, when the Springboks face Ireland in their final tour match at Croke Park in Dublin on Saturday.

In the front-row, Tendai Mtawarira returns to the starting XV in place of Wian du Preez and BJ Botha starts at tighthead, with Smit captaining the team from hooker - replacing Adriaan Strauss.

It will be the first time in a year that Smit will start a Test at hooker, having converted to tighthead prop on last year's November tour.

He captained the Boks from hooker in the record 42-6 win over England at Twickenham, ironically as a result of injuries.

Injuries have played a major part in team reshuffling on this tour as well, having resulted in recalls for three Irish-based players - props BJ Botha and CJ van der Linde, as well as centre Jean de Villiers.

In other changes to the pack Victor Matfield returns to the starting XV, replacing Andries Bekker, Schalk Burger is back at flank after recovering from his rib injury - with Danie Rossouw moving from the side of the scrum to No.8.

There is one change to the backline, with Wynand Olivier starting at No.12 in place of the injured Adi Jacobs.

Olivier last started a Test in the 9-28 loss to the British and Irish Lions in Johannesburg on July 4, but has made four appearances as a replacement since.

There are four more changes on the bench ? hooker Bismarck du Plessis and prop CJ van der Linde return from injury, whilst Irish-based centre Jean de Villiers is recalled and flank Dewald Potgieter is included in the Test 22 for the first time.

De Villiers, who joined Irish club Munster in September, played a major part in the Boks' victories against the B&I Lions as well as claiming the Tri-Nations crown.

Smit will equal Percy Montgomery's record as the most capped Springbok against Ireland (six caps), while Jaque Fourie will equal Jean de Villiers' record as the most capped Springbok centre (43 Tests).

South Africa: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Danie Rossouw, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 BJ Botha, 2 John Smit (captain), 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Andries Bekker, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Dewald Potgieter, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Jean de Villiers.

Date: Saturday, November 28
Venue: Croke Park, Dublin
Time: 14:30 (14:30 GMT; 16.30 SA time)
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Chris White (England), Carlo Damasco (Italy)
TMO: Hugh Watkins (Wales)