All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw fit for Rugby Championship decider at Boks

Inspirational skipper Richie McCaw returns to New Zealand's starting line-up for the Rugby Championship finale in South Africa after recovering from injury to play his 120th test, but his first at Ellis Park.

McCaw's recall in place of 21-year-old Sam Cane at openside flanker was one of two changes to the world champion All Blacks, who are on the brink of a 12th southern hemisphere title in 18 seasons and have won seven of their past eight games against the Springboks.

While McCaw had recovered from the knee injury that kept him out of the recent wins over the Springboks at home and Argentina away, Owen Franks was ruled out by a groin injury and replaced at tight-head prop by Charlie Faumuina. Franks' brother, Ben, moved up to the bench alongside Cane and hooker Dane Coles. Andrew Hore will again wear the No2 jersey.

New Zealand need only a losing bonus point tomorrow to clinch the title, but are back at near full-strength and determined to finish with a perfect six wins from six in the championship. South Africa must win, score four tries and deny the All Blacks a bonus point to steal the title.

The All Blacks have said this week that they were excited and not intimidated by the chance to play at Ellis Park, the 65,000-seat, inner-city cauldron where New Zealand lost the 1995 World Cup final and have won only one of four games since.

"Playing the Springboks at Ellis Park is a challenge that this team are really looking forward to," All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said. "We know the South Africans will come at us with their physical game, but to win the championship they will have to do that by scoring four tries, so we are expecting more ball movement than we have seen in the past.