Scrum of the Earth /

Springbok coach Pieter de Villiers has named his strongest possible side to face Wales on Saturday.

Twelve of the twenty-two celebrated world championship gold in Paris against England in 2007 with John Smit captaining the side.

Bakkies Botha is fit to retain his place alongside Victor Matfield in the second-row. Smit, in the unfamiliar surroundings at tighthead, scrums down alongside Tendai Mtawarira and hooker Bismarck du Plessis.

Pierre Spies is preferred to Ryan Kankowski at eight and utility back Ruan Pienaar gets a first opportunity to show his outstanding talents at fly-half.

South Africa: 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 John Smit (c), 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Replacements: 16 Brian Mujati, 17 Gurthro Steenkamp, 18 Andries Bekker, 19 Ryan Kankowski, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Frans Steyn, 22 Jaque Fourie.