Smit to skipper Springboks against Australia, Botha out

John Smit will captain the Springboks against Australia in a World Cup quarter-final here on Sunday, but lock Bakkies Botha misses out after injuring himself in training. Smit is one of three changes to the team that beat Samoa in the final pool match, the captain replacing Bismarck du Plessis, while Gurthro Steenkamp comes in at loosehead prop. The backline shows only one change, Jean de Villiers named as centre in place of the injured Frans Steyn. The team is the most experienced Springbok team ever, featuring 836 caps, surpassing the previous record of 815 posted against Wales in the team's opening match. The starting XV includes eight players who started the 2007 World Cup final, with a further three on the bench. Only fullback Pat Lambie, fly-half Morne Steyn and flanker Heinrich Brussow of the starting team were not involved in 2007, while Pierre Spies was originally selected but had to withdraw through illness. But Botha missed out on the chance to get his World Cup campaign back on the road, landing nastily in training on Wednesday. "It was the worst part of my day yesterday," coach Peter de Villiers said. "At the first lineout he injured himself again. He landed badly, and his achilles flamed up again. "It was a sad day for myself and for Bakkies. It might mean that his tournament is over." South Africa (15-1) Patrick Lambie; JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana; Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez; Pierre Spies, Schalk Burger, Heinrich Brussow; Victor Matfield, Danie Rossouw; Jannie du Plessis, John Smit (capt), Gurthro Steenkamp Replacements: Bismarck du Plessis, CJ van der Linde, Willem Alberts, Francois Louw, Francois Hougaard, Butch James, Gio Aplon