Full-back Percy Montgomery will become the first South African to earn 100 caps after he was named in the starting line-up for Saturday's Tri-Nations clash with New Zealand.
Montgomery was one of five changes to the side which beat Argentina 63-9 in the Mandela Challenge last weekend in Johannesburg.
The 34-year-old was recalled to the side in place of Conrad Jantjes, who drops to the bench, and will be able to run on in front of his home crowd where he grew up and spent a large part of his career.
But he was determined to look at the bigger picture.
The world champions have claimed just one win in three matches so far, their first in New Zealand for ten years, but with Saturday's game their first on home soil, it will provide a great chance for them to stamp their mark on the tournament.
Montgomery said: ‘Of course it is a massive thing to be playing your 100th game for your country and it will be a very special moment for me.
‘But the big thing is to beat the All Blacks. There are three big weeks ahead of us and we have a chance to win the Tri-Nations. it is just great to be part of it all.’
The 99-cap veteran seemed to be out of rugby when he left for Newport in 2002, and believes the move to Wales actually prolonged his career.
‘It may have rejuvenated me: after four or five years of international rugby, fatigue could've been setting in,’ he said.
‘The key to returning in 2004 under Jake White was that I had a good pre-season, and my fitness came through from there.’
Springboks coach Peter De Villiers had some words of praise for the World Cup-winning full-back.
He said: ‘I don't think it could happen to a greater rugby player. The professional he is now and the experience he brings to the side is massive.
‘He is an extraordinary person who is willing to share everything he knows with everyone in the side. Even if he is not playing, he is still the same character who doesn't change - it is a privilege to work with him.
‘We all know Percy's strengths, and he helped us in Dunedin [when he started and the Boks beat the All Blacks]. We will need to use those attributes again this weekend.’
In other changes, Bryan Habana also returns at number 11 in place of Jongi Nokwe, who made his debut against the Pumas, while Fourie du Preez will start instead of Enrico Januarie in the number nine jersey.
Flanker Juan Smith, like Montgomery also a 2007 World Cup winner, will also reach a milestone, winning his 50th Test cap.
Fit-again flank Schalk Burger was named in place of Luke Watson while lock Andries Bekker takes the place of the injured Bakkies Botha.
South Africa team to play New Zealand in Cape Town on Saturday:
Percy Montgomery; JP Pietersen, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana; Butch James, Fourie du Preez; Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, CJ van der Linde, Andries Bekker, Victor Matfield (capt), Schalk Burger, Juan Smith, Pierre Spies.
Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Brian Mujati, Danie Rossouw, Luke Watson, Enrico Januarie, Frans Steyn, Conrad Jantjes.
