Morné Steyn will start at flyhalf for South Africa in the Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand in Durban on Saturday - one of three changes made by coach Peter de Villiers.

Steyn, who produced a match-winning performance, including kicking the series-clinching penalty from inside his own half in injury time of the second Test against the British and Irish Lions, replaces Ruan Pienaar in the No.10 jersey.

Pienaar was not considered because of an ankle injury.

Other changes to the matchday 22 that beat the All Blacks by 28-19 in Bloemfontein last weekend will see lock Andries Bekker return in the place of loose forward Ryan Kankowski on the bench, along with fit-again centre Adi Jacobs, who takes Steyn's place amongst the replacements.

Springbok wing Bryan Habana and centre Jean de Villiers will both earn their 50th Test caps for South Africa, while Bok captain John Smit becomes the sole record-holder for the most experienced Test captain ever.

Habana, the International Rugby Board's Player of the Year for 2007 and SA Rugby's Player of the Year in 2005 and 2007, made his Springbok debut as a replacement against England on November 20, 2004 at Twickenham.

With 33 Test tries he is second behind Joost van der Westhuizen on the list of top try scorers for South Africa.

De Villiers, SA Rugby's Player of the Year for 2008, made his Springbok debut on November 9, 2002 in Marseilles against France. His Test debut lasted only a few minutes before a serious knee injury saw him being stretchered off.

Because of a succession of injuries he only played his second Test against the Pacific Islands in Gosford on July 17, 2004.

Of his 49 Tests to date, De Villiers has played 11 on the wing and 38 at centre.

He will equal De Wet Barry's record for Bok Tests at centre this weekend, with 39.

Smit will lead the Boks for the 60th time in his 86th Test.

Last weekend he equalled the record previously held by Wallaby skipper George Gregan and England's Will Carling.

South Africa: 15 Frans Steyn, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 John Smit (captain), 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Jannie du Plessis, 18 Andries Bekker, 19 Danie Rossouw, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Adi Jacobs, 22 Wynand Olivier.

Date: Saturday, August 1
Venue: Absa Stadium, Durban
Kick-off: 17.00 (15.00 GMT)
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Alain Rolland (Ireland), Tim Hayes (Wales)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

365

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