Victor Matfield has been named South African rugby captain and first five Butch James has earned a recall for the first of two tests against Italy in Witbank this weekend.
Lock Matfield will lead the team for the 11th time in his 95-test career after regular skipper John Smit was ruled out by a hamstring injury.
Smit, a veteran of 95 internationals, should return for the second test in East London next week. He has been replaced by Chiliboy Ralepelle in the team.
The return of James, who played at 10 in the 2007 World Cup final before moving to England to play in the Premiership, is one of 11 changes to the Springbok squad that beat France 42-17 in Cape Town.
