New Zealand v South Africa, Tri-Nations, September 12
Steyn returns for Springboks
Scrum.com
September 9, 2009
South Africa's Francois Steyn pictured during a training session, Springboks training session, Brisbane Boys College, Brisbane, Australia, August 31, 2009
Bakkies Botha is determined to match the All Blacks this weekend © Getty Images
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Tournaments/Tours: Tri Nations

South Africa have made just one change to their starting line-up for Saturday's crucial Tri-Nations match against New Zealand in Hamilton.

Francois Steyn is recalled to the side at fullback in the place of Ruan Pienaar with coach Peter de Villiers resisting the urge to make wholesale changes following the Springboks' 21-6 humbling at the hands of Australia last weekend.

"We've tried to keep it as simple as possible. But there is a bit of horses for courses and Frans can play a major role in Hamilton with his boot," De Villiers told media. "It's not a shift in game plan. We expect Dan Carter to kick more and with Frans we can put ourselves back in position and able to dictate play."

Bryan Habana, who has been under an injury cloud with a hamstring strain, has been named on the wing, while No.8 Pierre Spies is nursing a groin problem. Despite the obvious issues with the scrum in Brisbane, the coach has opted to stick with his front row so captain John Smit remains at tighthead prop.

"The medical team have worked intensively with a few players this week and they will continue to do so between now and the game," added De Villiers. "We always said that we expected to pick up a few injuries close to the end of the Tri-Nations and it is a case of managing the players properly."

South Africa: Francois Steyn; Odwa Ndungane, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana; Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez; Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, John Smith, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Heinrich Brussow, Juan Smith, Pierre Spies.

Replacements: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Jannie du Plessis, Danie Rossouw, Schalk Burger, Enrico Januarie, Adrian Jacobs, Ruan Pienaar.

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