Bismarck Du Plessis celebrated a first Tri-Nations triumph in five years in 2009.
New Zealand have made four changes to their side for Saturday's opening match of the 2010 Tri-Nations series against champions South Africa in Auckland.
Full-back Zane Kirchner, centre Wynand Olivier and lock Victor Matfield all come into the Springboks' side.
Bakkies Botha has been declared fit to partner Matfield while Danie Rossouw is on the bench after a hip problem.
Botha missed training earlier in the week with a hamstring injury.
"All of the players in the group are fit and available so there were some tough choices to make," Springboks coach Peter de Villiers said.
"We are putting a very strong team out there."
Gio Aplon and Andries Bekker drop to the bench, after starting their most recent Test against Italy, but there is no place in the 22 for emerging centre Juan de Jongh.
The Springboks were already without the long-term injured trio of scrum-half Fourie du Preez, hooker Bismark du Plessis and flanker Heinrich Brussow as they begin the defence of their title.
De Villiers' side beat the All Blacks three times last year, but the coach said those results were immaterial.
"If you look backwards you will go backwards. Last year's results are in the past," he added.
"It will be tough but we expect it to be as it always is against the All Blacks."
If records are anything to go by, then the Springboks face a tough task to make it four wins from four.
New Zealand are unbeaten in 21 matches at Auckland's Eden Park dating back to 1994, while South Africa have not won at the venue since 1937.
The ground currently has a limited capacity of 17,600 as development work continues to transform it into a 60,000-seat arena for next year's Rugby World Cup, when it will host five key group matches including the opening game, plus both semi-finals and the final.
Despite the looming shadow of that tournament, which kicks off on 9 September 2011, All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith believes the outcome of Saturday's encounter, and next week's meeting between the sides in Wellington, has no bearing on the World Cup.
"I personally think it is irrelevant," Smith said.
"Both teams are going to have a good crack at the World Cup. But not today or tomorrow, that's down the track.
"This has got its own entity. It's a Springboks-All Blacks match with all that that entails.
"It's two proud teams going at each other. It's important for today but I don't know how important it is for the World Cup."
The Springboks also play Australia in Brisbane on 24 July to complete the away leg of their Ti-Nations series before returning home for a four-week break ahead of a third meeting with the All Blacks in Johannesburg, and two more Tests against the Wallabies.
South Africa: Zane Kirchner, Jean De Villiers, Jaque Fourie, Wynand Olivier, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Ricky Januarie; Gurthro Steenkamp, John Smit (captain), Jannie Du Plessis, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Schalk Burger, Francois Louw, Pierre Spies.Replacements: Chiliboy Ralepelle, BJ Botha, Andries Bekker, Danie Rossouw, Ruan Pienaar, Butch James, Gio Aplon.
New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Joe Rokocoko, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan; Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Owen Franks, Brad Thorn, Tom Donnelly, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (captain), Kieran Read.Replacements: Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Sam Whitelock, Liam Messam, Piri Weepu, Aaron Cruden, Richard Kahui.
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
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