Lambie gets pivotal role
Pat Lambie was named to start at flyhalf when the South Africa face Ireland in the opening Test of the year-end tour in Dublin on Saturday.
The 22-year-old Lambie's inclusion at pivot in the place of the injured Johan Goosen, is one of only three changes to the team that started in the Springboks' last Test – against New Zealand in Soweto last month.
The other two are also forced by injury.
JP Pietersen returns at right wing while Juandré Kruger takes over at lock, respectively for Bryan Habana and Andries Bekker, who were both ruled out of the tour because of injury.
"I'm excited to see what Pat can bring to the team," said Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.
"He played very well in the last few weeks of the Currie Cup and hopefully he can bring that momentum with him on Saturday.
"It's also good to have JP back. He's had a great season and will want to finish the season on a high. At lock, there has been strong competition for the No 5 jersey all season and now Juandré gets an opportunity again."
For the first time, the Springboks have named an eight-man replacement bench, in line with the new laws that determine a full front row of two specialist props and a hooker have to be selected.
Returning to Springbok duty for the first time since 2008 is Schalk Brits, who will start on the bench next to CJ van der Linde and Pat Cilliers.
Should Brits make an appearance, it will be his first Test for South Africa since 2008 while Van der Linde has not appeared for the team since the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
"Schalk is an explosive player who can bring something special off the bench," said Meyer.
"CJ is very experienced and knows the conditions here quite well, as he played for Leinster for two seasons," said Meyer.
South Africa: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaco Taute, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Pat Cilliers, 19 Flip van der Merwe, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Morné Steyn, 22 Juan de Jongh, 23 Lwazi Mvovo.
Date: Saturday, November 10
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 17.30 (17.30 GMT)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant referees: Steve Walsh (Australia), Luke Pierce (England)
TMO: Giulio De Santis (Italy)
