Heinrich Brussow© (Photo by Stefan Postles/Getty Images)

Heinrich Brussow will make his first appearance for South Africa since the 2011 Rugby World Cup on Saturday after he was named in the team to face New Zealand in Johannesburg.

Japan-based flanker, Brussow, is one of eight changes made to Heyneke Meyer's matchday 23-man squad, from the one that lost a nail-biting clash with Australia last weekend.

Bath back-row Francois Louw switches to No.7 to accommodate Brussow, while the uncapped Vincent Koch has the chance to make his Test debut off the bench.

The only other change to the starting lineup sees Lood de Jager replace the injured Victor Matfield in the second row, with Schalk Burger captaining the side from No.8.

Koch is joined on the bench by Cornal Hendricks, Trevor Nyakane, Flip van der Merwe and Warren Whiteley, none of whom featured in Australia.

"Injuries have forced our hand a bit, but we've stuck with our planned rotational policy on the bench and it will be great to see what Heinrich, Vincent and Flip can do," Springboks coach Meyer said.

"The breakdown battle will again be huge and it will be good to see Heinrich and Francois play together. They are versatile players and I am convinced they will combine perfectly.

"Heinrich has been great this season before he got injured and played his way into contention. As with other players returning from injury in Vodacom Super Rugby, he deserves an opportunity. We decided it was better to start with him and use Warren as an impact player later in the match."

South Africa: Willie le Roux, Cornal Hendricks, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Bryan Habana, Handre Pollard, Ruan Pienaar; Schalk Burger (capt), Francois Louw, Heinrich Brussow; Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth; Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira. Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Trevor Nyakane, Vincent Koch, Flip van der Merwe, Warren Whiteley, Cobus Reinach, Patrick Lambie, Lionel Mapoe.