Heyneke Meyer has named the Springbok team to take on the All Blacks in the first of the World Cup semi-finals this weekend.

Meyer has named a completely unchanged starting XV from the side that beat Wales last weekend, with Bismarck du Plessis and Lood de Jager overcoming niggles to take their places in the front five.

Handré Pollard is again given the keys to the backline, while Willie le Roux – caught out of place for Wales’ try last weekend – is retained at fullback.

The only change to the matchday squad comes on the bench, where a return to fitness for the veteran Victor Matfield sees him included at the expense of Pieter-Steph du Toit.

“It’s great to be able to give another run to the team that got us through to the semi-finals in the biggest Test of the year,” said Meyer.

“Victor’s inclusion on the bench gives us even more experience there and, as we saw last weekend against Wales, when the replacements did very well towards the end of the match, this will be crucial. His influence will also be pivotal against a strong New Zealand line-out.”

SOUTH AFRICA TEAM TO PLAY NEW ZEALAND

15. Willie le Roux, 14. JP Pietersen 13. Jesse Kriel 12. Damian de Allende 11. Brian Habana 10. Handré Pollard 9. Fourie du Preez; 1. Tendai Mtawarira 2. Bismarck du Plessis 3. Frans Malherbe 4. Eben Etzebeth 5. Lood de Jager 6. Francois Louw 7. Schalk Burger 8. Duane Vermeulen

Replacements: 16. Adriaan Strauss 17. Trevor Nyakane 18. Jannie du Plessis 19. Victor Matfield 20. Willem Alberts 21. Ruan Pienaar 22. Pat Lambie 23. Jan Serfontein

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images