Smit led the Boks to Tri-Nations glory

The hooker sustained the injury in a training ground accident on Thursday but has been declared fit to play.

Centre Ashwin Willemse is the surprise inclusion on the wing, with most of the personnel on duty in the Tri-Nations.

Willemse, South Africa's Player of the Year in 2003, has not played any rugby since injuring his knee last June.

"He is one of the best players in the team," said coach Jake White of Willemse.

"He oozes confidence and I know what he adds. I have decided to bring him back in from the start of matches while Jean de Villiers is always there to come up from the bench."

I want us to have a real go at at the grand slam Springboks coach Jake White

The side is almost unchanged from the one victorious in this year's Tri Nations tournament.

The only player not considered was AJ Venter, who has a hamstring injury.

He is replaced by the impressive Juan Smith, who was outstanding at last year's World Cup before injury intervened.

There are two new potential new caps among the replacements - flanker Tim Dlulane and scrum-half Michael Claassens.

The game in Cardiff is the first of the Springboks' European tour, with further Tests to follow against Ireland, England and Scotland.

They also play Argentina in Buenos Aires, but will attempt to become the first country to achieve a 'grand slam' over the home unions since Australia in 1984.

In 1998 they beat Wales, Scotland and Ireland before being pipped 13-7 at Twickenham.

"A player's whole career can go by without ever getting the chance to play all four home unions on a single tour and I want us to have a real go at it," said White.