South Africa have made three changes to their starting line-up for the second Tri-Nations rugby Test against New Zealand in Dunedin on Saturday.

Beaten 19-8 in Wellington last Saturday the reigning World Cup champions have responded by axing fullback Conrad Jantjes and wing Odwa Ndungane while Bismark du Plessis predictably comes in at hooker for captain John Smit, who has returned home with a groin injury.

Veteran fullback Percy Montgomery is promoted from the bench for Jantjes, who loses his spot after five successive Tests in the No 15 jersey.

JP Pietersen replaces Ndungane on one wing while halfback Ruan Pienaar replaces Bolla Conradie on the bench.

Smit left New Zealand on a sour note earlier this week, claiming he suffered the injury when dumped on his back by All Blacks lock Brad Thorn during the opening minutes of the clash at Westpac Stadium.

Thorn was suspended for a week after a SANZAR judicial hearing.

South Africa: Percy Montgomery, JP Pietersen, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Ricky Januarie, Joe van Niekerk, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield (capt), Bakkies Botha, CJ van der Linde, Bismarck du Plessis, Gurthro Steenkamp. Res: Schalk Britz, Brian Mujati, Andries Bekker, Luke Watson, Ruan Pienaar, Francois Steyn, Conrad Jantjes.

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