Jannie du Plessis and Danie Rossouw will both start against England

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has made two enforced changes for Saturday's Test against England.

Hooker Bismarck du Plessis injured his hamstring in the win over Scotland and is replaced by brother Jannie, a prop, with John Smit reverting to hooker.

Danie Rossouw will start at flanker in place of Juan Smith, who suffered a knock to the head at Murrayfield.

Winger Bryan Habana starts, while Brian Mujati is among the replacements after struggling with a shoulder injury.

The inclusion of Jannie du Plessis sees captain John Smit reverting to hooker, with the 26-year-old starting at tight-head prop.

The Springboks were due to name their team on Tuesday, but delayed an announcement because of mounting injury problems.

Gurthro Steenkamp joins fellow front-rower Bismarck du Plessis on the sidelines, while scrum-half Fourie du Preez also misses out.

606: DEBATE You have to question how much energy these guys have left in the tank - it has been a very, very long season guyjubber

Coach De Villiers has admitted his side are nearly running on empty ahead of the first meeting between the two sides since the Boks beat England to become world champions just over a year ago.

South Africa have had an intense 12 months since winning the Webb Ellis trophy in Paris and have laboured to hard-fought victories against Wales and Scotland so far on their UK tour.

"Physically they're trained to deal with it but there's a mental fatigue that nobody sees," said De Villiers.

"They're thinking 'five days more and then I can go back to my family'. Fatigue is taking its toll. I think for the sake of the players I'm so glad the year's done.

"You look where we started last year in November. The players had three weeks off and then went straight into Super 14 and then it goes on and on and on. All of these guys played Currie Cup too.

"Five days more and then it's the end of the year. It's going to be very difficult. I just hope they uplift themselves a little (on Saturday) to the level we expect."

South Africa: Conrad Jantjes; JP Pietersen, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana; Ruan Pienaar, Ricky Januarie; Tendai Mtawarira, John Smit (capt), Jannie du Plessis, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Schalk Burger, Danie Rossouw, Pierre Spies.
Replacements: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Brian Mujati, Andries Bekker, Ryan Kankowski, Heinrich Brussow, Francois Steyn, Jaque Fourie.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version