Abides Botha has been included in the Springbok starting line-up for the world champions' Test against Wales at the Millennium Stadium Saturday.

It had been thought that South Africa coach Pieter de Villiers would omit Botha, one of the stars of the side that beat England in last year's World Cup final in Paris, because of a lack of match fitness.

But Botha will once again be alongside Victor Matfield in the second row.

In a widely anticipated move John Smit, who retains the captaincy, has moved from hooker to prop to accommodate the in-form Bismarck du Plessis.

De Villiers has made five changes in all to the team that thrashed Australia 53-8 in the Tri-Nations two months ago.

Tendai 'Beast' Matriarch completes the front-row while Pierre Spies is preferred to Ryan Kinkajous at No 8.

This match is the first of a three-Test tour which sees South Africa playing Scotland on November 15 and England on November 22.

South Africa team (15-1):

Conrad Dainties; JP Pietersen, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana; Ruan Pienaar, Fourie du Preez; Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger; Victor Matfield, Abides Botha; John Smit, Bismarck du Plessis, Beast Matriarch

Replacements: Brian Imitate, Gorsier Steenkamp, Andries Bekker, Ryan Kinkajous, Ricky Januaries, Francois Steyn, Gauge Fourie.

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