Number eight Joe van Niekerk has been recalled to the Springboks starting team for the first time since last year for Saturday's Tri-Nations series opener against New Zealand.
Van Niekerk replaced Ryan Kankowski in one of seven changes to the side that beat Italy 26-0.
Coach Peter de Villiers recalled World Cup winning captain John Smit after he missed last month's warm-up Tests against Wales and Italy because of French club commitments.
He also included six of the eight forwards that played in last year's World Cup final win over England as well as three backs.
However, two of South Africa's World Cup winners, full-back Percy Montgomery and utility back Francois Steyn, who were both relegated to the bench.
SOUTH AFRICA team to play New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday:
15-Conrad Jantjes, 14-Odwa Ndungane, 13-Adrian Jacobs, 12-Jean de Villiers, 11-Bryan Habana, 10-Butch James, 9-Ricky Januarie, 8-Joe van Niekerk, 7-Juan Smith, 6-Schalk Burger, 5-Victor Matfield, 4-Bakkies Botha, 3-CJ van der Linde, 2-John Smit (captain), 1-Gurthro Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16-Bismarck du Plessis, 17-Brian Mujati, 18-Andries Bekker, 19-Luke Watson, 20-Bolla Conradie, 21-Francois Steyn, 22-Percy Montgomery
SANZAR officials to discuss expansion
Representatives of the southern hemisphere's leading rugby nations have held talks with Argentine and North American officials to discuss the possibility of an expanded competition.
Further meetings will be held later this month with representatives from Japan and the Pacific Island nations of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.
SANZAR (South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby) initiated the talks as part of plans to develop a proposal it can present to broadcasters next year.
SANZAR's current television deal, which covers the Super 14 and Tri-Nations, expires at the end of the 2010 season and officials have been openly discussing the possibility of an expanded competition.
'It was very much an information-sharing discussion with all parties,' SANZAR chief executive Jonathan Stones said in a statement.
'We gave an update on the state of SANZAR rugby at both Super 14 and Tri-Nations level and, in turn, each country presented their capabilities and vision for the future.'
Stones said the results from the meetings would be discussed at the next SANZAR workshop in Perth from 15-17 July.
