SOUTH AFRICA'S most capped player, Percy Montgomery, will celebrate his 100th Springbok cap against New Zealand on Saturday.

"I don't think it could happen to a greater rugby player," coach Peter de Villiers told a news conference yesterday after naming the veteran fullback in the world champions' starting line-up.

"The professional player that he is now and the experience he brings to the side is extraordinary.

"Even when he's not playing, he's the same player and the same character. This week is going to be huge for him, but Percy knows that the job is more important than the milestone."

Montgomery (34) said it was a special occasion to run out at Newlands for a match against the All Blacks.

"But I try not to talk too much about it. We've got three big weeks starting with the big one on the weekend," he said.

De Villiers has made five changes to the Springbok team that beat Argentina.

Fullback Conrad Jantjes makes way for Montgomery. Lock Danie Rossouw and centre Francois Steyn are recalled to the bench to replace the injured Bakkies Botha and Jaque Fourie.

Wing Bryan Habana and flanker Schalk Burger have recovered from injury to reclaim their places in the starting line-up.

Scrumhalf Fourie du Preez takes over from Enrico Januarie.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has named the starting line-up that defeated Australia 39-10 the week before last.

The utility back Isaia Toeava replacing Anthony Tuitavake on the bench is the only change.

SOUTH AFRICA:Montgomery; Pietersen, Jacobs, de Villiers, Habana: James, du Preez; Mtawarira, du Plessis, van der Linde; Bekker, Matfield (capt); Burger, Smith, Spies.

NEW ZEALAND:Muliaina; Kahui, Smith, Nonu, Sivivatu; Carter, Cowan; Woodcock, Hore, Somerville; Thorn, Williams; Kaino, McCaw (capt), So'oialo.