All Blacks V South Africa: Team news.

Johann Muller will captain South Africa in place of the injured Bobby Skinstad in Saturday's Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand in Christchurch.

The Springboks make four changes to their side and hand a first Test cap to hooker Bismarck du Plessis.

New Zealand have made seven changes with wings Doug Howlett and Sitiveni Sivivatu and centre Isaia Toeava back.

Lock Keith Robinson returns after injury, while scrum-half Piri Weepu, Reuben Thorne and Keven Mealamu start.

Rico Gear, Joe Rokocoko, Aaron Mauger, Troy Flavell, Byron Kelleher, Jerry Collins and Anton Oliver all drop out.

South Africa bring back Jacques Cronje to replace Skinstad at number eight while Albert van den Berg replaces the injured Johan Ackermann at lock.

Du Plessis is prefered to Gary Botha and joins his brother, prop Jannie du Plessis, in the front row.

The only new addition to the backline was left wing Jaco Pretorius, who replaced full-back Bevan Fortuin.

New Zealand are the defending champions but lie second in the standings, though they will retain the title if they win their last two matches, with a return fixture against Australia in Auckland following Saturday's match in Christchurch.

South Africa are bottom of the standings and need to beat the Kiwis on Saturday to keep alive their hopes of winning the Tri-Nations crown.

"The challenge is to make sure everyone in the squad is raising the standard," All Blacks coach Graham Henry said.

"We can play better and these two home matches are our last chance to do so before the Rugby World Cup.

"We also want to see some players get more time on the field, so there have been changes to the line-up."

New Zealand full-back Leon MacDonald, who missed the 20-15 defeat against the Wallabies with a groin problem, remains on the sidelines.

New Zealand:
Mils Muliaina, Doug Howlett, Isaia Toeava, Luke McAlister, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Daniel Carter, Piri Weepu; Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Carl Hayman, Keith Robinson, Chris Jack, Reuben Thorne, Richie McCaw (captain), Rodney So'oialo.
Replacements:
Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata, Jerry Collins, Chris Masoe, Brendon Leonard, Conrad Smith, Nick Evans.

South Africa:
JP Pietersen, Breyton Paulse, Waylon Murray, Wynand Olivier, Jaco Pretorius; Derick Hougaard, Ruan Pienaar; Jacques Cronje, Pedrie Wannenburg, Wikus van Heerden, Johann Muller (captain), Albert van den Berg; Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, CJ van der Linde.
Replacements:
Gary Botha, Eddie Andrews, Gerrie Britz, Hilton Lobberts, Michael Claassens, Peter Grant, Tonderai Chavhanga.