South Africa announce team to play Samoa

South Africa made seven changes on Tuesday, including a massive five in their pack as they named their strongest side for their final Rugby World Cup Pool D game against Samoa in Auckland on Friday. The Boks returned to their strongest line-up barring lock Bakkies Botha, who was ruled out with his continuing acute tendonosis on his Achilles heel, as they prepared for what they said was their "biggest challenge" at the World Cup thus far. Winger JP Pietersen returns at the expense of Gio Aplon, who scored a brace against Namibia, while at scrum-half Fourie du Preez is back in his normal spot ahead of the exciting Francois Hougaard, who reverts to his customary utility back role on the bench. Up front the Boks see Victor Matfield returning to the side as lock and captain from a hamstring injury that kept him out of the Fiji and Namibia games at the tournament. Danie Rossouw moves across into Botha?s place, while the Boks have a new front row for the clash to counter Samoa?s impressive scrum. Firey Bismarck du Plessis replaces regular captain John Smit while his brother Jannie du Plessis and Tendai Mtawarira come in for CJ van der Linde and Gurthro Steenkamp respectively. The Boks have opted for a five-two bench, with midfielder Jean de Villiers, who came off against Wales with a rib injury, returning after a 10 day stint on the sideline. South Africa (15-1) Patrick Lambie; JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Frans Steyn, Bryan Habana; Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez; Pierre Spies, Schalk Burger, Heinrich Brussow; Victor Matfield (captain), Danie Rossouw; Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira. Replacements: John Smit, Gurthro Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde, Willem Alberts, Francois Louw, Francois Hougaard, Jean de Villiers