Victor Matfield heading for record-equalling 111th test for South Africa
The 38-year-old, who has not played international rugby since the 2011 World Cup, will make his 18th appearance as skipper
Veteran lock Victor Matfield will equal John Smit's test-match appearance record for South Africa when he leads out the Springboks against Wales for the first test at King's Park in Durban tomorrow.
The 38-year-old Matfield, who has not played international rugby since the 2011 World Cup, will make his 111th appearance, and 18th as captain, at the same time reuniting with Bakkies Botha in a vastly experienced lock pairing.
Also returning to the starting line-up is prop Gurthrö Steenkamp, one of six changes - four positional - to the match-day squad from the team who beat a World XV in Cape Town last week.
Wales have an experienced coaching team and they were the Six Nations champions in 2012 and 2013 ... so this will be a massive challenge
Wing Cornal Hendricks will make his test debut, while his provincial teammate from the Cheetahs, uncapped lock Lood de Jager, starts from the bench.
"Cornal performed exceptionally well in his first start for South Africa against the World XV last weekend and really made the most of his opportunity," coach Heyneke Meyer said.
"Lood has everything expected from a modern lock - not only is he big and powerful, but he likes the physical stuff and is very skilful as well."
Centre Jan Serfontein will earn his first test start for the Springboks, alongside JP Pietersen, after Frans Steyn withdrew from the June internationals for personal reasons.