TRI-NATIONS:SPRINGBOK COACH Peter de Villiers yesterday recalled World Cup winners Juan Smith and JP Pietersen among several changes for the Tri-Nations Test against the All Blacks on Saturday.

Flank Smith, who has been a regular member of the Springbok line-up since 2003, replaces Ryan Kankowski, restoring the experienced, tried-and-tested loose forward combination with Pierre Spies and Schalk Burger.

South Africa were well-beaten in Tests in Auckland and Wellington last month and will hope for a major improvement in Saturday’s match at the FNB Stadium near Soweto on the outskirts of Johannesburg.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry made just two changes to the team that beat Australia 20-10 in Christchurch on August 7th.

Jimmy Cowan returns from injury in the number nine jersey, pushing Piri Weepu back on to the bench, while tighthead prop Owen Franks is replaced by his older brother Ben. Henry said Owen, who has played in 16 Tests, needed a break while Ben (26), who has appeared in only six so far, had made great progress.

“Owen has done superbly, he’s played seven Tests on the trot and, for a young man of 22, we just felt he needed some space.” Henry said.

The All Blacks are just one point away from winning this year’s Tri-Nations, having made short work of the Springboks and Wallabies in the four matches they have played.

Pietersen replaces Gio Aplon on the right wing, with Aplon moving to fullback in place of Zane Kirchner, who is injured.

The Springboks will field a new centre pairing of Jean de Villiers and Juan de Jongh, instead of Wynand Olivier and the suspended Jaque Fourie, while Francois Hougaard makes his first start at scrumhalf after Ruan Pienaar suffered a shoulder injury.

Up front, Jannie du Plessis returns at tighthead prop for BJ Botha and rookie lock Flip van der Merwe starts in place of Danie Rossouw, who has a niggling hip injury and will be on the bench.

SOUTH AFRICA:Aplon; Pietersen, De Jongh, De Villiers, Habana; Steyn, Hougaard; Steenkamp, Smit, Du Plessis, Van der Merwe, Matfield, Burger, Smith, Spies. Replacements: Ralepelle, Van der Linde, Rossouw, Louw, Januarie, James, Olivier.

NEW ZEALAND:Muliaina; Jane, Smith, Nonu, Rokocoko; Carter, Cowan; Woodcock, Mealamu, Franks, Thorn, Donnelly, Kaino, McCaw, Read. Replacements: Flynn, Afoa, Whitelock, Vito, Weepu, Cruden, Dagg.

Referee:Nigel Owens (Wales).