RUGBY/Tri-Nations: South Africa and New Zealand go into today's Tri-nations test in Johannesburg (2 pm, Sky Sports 3) under intense pressure.
The Springboks need victory to keep alive their tournament hopes and end a run of eight successive defeats by the All Blacks.
A win for New Zealand would edge them closer to their third successive title but could also stifle mounting criticism of new coach Graham Henry.
The All Blacks lost 23-18 to the Wallabies last Saturday, after which the game plan of using a flat back line was again criticised.
Henry's side have scored just two tries in three matches - compared to the 17 they scored in securing their fifth title a year ago - and he has responded by recalling Andrew Mehrtens in place of outhalf Carlos Spencer.
Mehrtens said he enjoyed the new alignment of the backs.
"It gives you a lot more options," he said. "We needed something to give us more variety and more options and playing like this means everyone can potentially receive the next pass and I enjoy playing that way."
Henry made two other changes with the recall of lock Simon Maling in place of Ali Williams and the inclusion at inside centre of Sam Tuitupou in place of the injured Dan Carter.
Springbok coach Jake White has made three changes and one positional switch from the side that lost 30-26 to Australia in Perth two weeks ago.
Scrumhalf Bolla Conradie, number eight Joe van Niekerk and lock Victor Matfield are in the starting line-up while Gerrie Britz has switched to flanker to accommodate Matfield.
Scrumhalf Fourie du Preez and loose forwards Jacques Cronje and AJ Venter have dropped to the bench.
SOUTH AFRICA: P Montgomery; B Paulse, M Joubert, DW Barry, J de Villiers; J van der Westhuyzen, B Conradie; J van Niekerk, G Britz, S Burger, V Matfield, B Botha, E Andrews, J Smit (capt), O du Randt.
NEW ZEALAND: M Muliaina; D Howlett, T Umaga (capt), S Tuitupou, J Rokocoko; A Mehrtens, J Marshall; X Rush, M Holah, J Gibbes, S Maling, C Jack, C Hayman, K Mealamu, K Meeuws.
Referee: Nigel Williams (Wales)
