South African coach Peter de Villiers surprised by naming a near full-strength team to face Namibia in a World Cup Pool D match in Albany on Saturday.

De Villiers resisted the temptation to field all his fringe players and made just five changes to the starting line-up for this Africa derby at the North Harbour Stadium.

The team will be captained by record-break hooker John Smit.

Wing Gio Aplon, scrumhalf Francois Hougaard, utility forward Willem Alberts and tighthead prop CJ van der Linde were all given their first starts of the tournament - while Bryan Habana was recalled from injury to resume in the No.11 jersey.

Four players were unavailable for selection due to injury.

The Bok mentor, De Villiers, opted to bring in some fresh legs in the hope of sustaining the team's momentum.

However, locks Victor Matfield and Johann Muller, centre Jean de Villiers and flyhalf Butch James were not considered for the match.

Scrumhalf Fourie du Preez and flank Heinrich Brüssow both dropped to the bench, while wings JP Pietersen and Odwa Ndungane and tighthead prop Jannie du Plessis were rested all together.

In one other change on the bench, Chiliboy Ralepelle was included in a matchday 22 for the first time when he was drafted in for Bismarck du Plessis, who is also rested.

South Africa: 15 Pat Lambie, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn , 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Willem Alberts, 5 Danie Rossouw, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 John Smit (captain), 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Francois Louw, 19 Heinrich Brüssow, 20 Fourie du Preez, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Juan de Jongh.

Date: Thursday, September 22
Venue: North Harbour Stadium, Albany
Kick-off: 20.00 (08.00 GMT)
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand), Tim Hayes (Wales)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)