Springbok coach Jake White has made six changes to the side that started against Ireland last weekend for Saturday’s match against England at Twickenham.
Along with the changes he has made a few positional changes as well. Full-back Bevin Fortuin is dropped to the bench and Francois Steyn takes his place.
Akona Ndungane comes in for Jaco Pretorius on wing and Habana plays back in his normal position on the other wing.
Pierre Spies is at blind-side flanker with Jacques Cronje at number eight but Juan Smith is dropped out of the squad.
Albert van den Berg drops to the bench and Johann Muller comes in his place.
Bok coach Jake White said that he made the decision to play Butch james at fly half in order to give Hodgson a hard time.
“If Charlie Hodgson doesn’t know already just how physical Butch is he will find that out straight away,” he said.
“Butch is a physical fly-half and it’s a chance for us to look at him and his combination with the midfield.
“Hodgson likes to find angles and gaps in the defence but Butch will prevent him from playing his normal game – he will know within a few minutes that he is in for a rough ride.”
The bok captain and Hooker John Smit will break two records in Saturday’s game.
His 37th match as Springbok captain will surpass Gary Teichmann’s record, and he will also become the first South African hooker to reach the milestone of 60 caps.
Springboks
Steyn, Ndungane, Olivier, de Villiers, Habana, James, Januarie, van der Linde, Smit (capt), Botha, Ackermann, Muller, Spies, Rossouw, Cronje.
Replacements: Ralepelle, Carstens, van den Berg, Lobberts, Pienaar, A Pretorius, Fortuin.
