Hamstrung by injuries, South Africa have recalled flanker Heinrich Brussow for his first Test in four years among three changes to the starting 15 to face New Zealand on Saturday in the Rugby Championship.

Brussow last played for the Springboks at the 2011 World Cup under former coach Peter de Villiers.

He was returned to the No.6 jersey by coach Heyneke Meyer on Wednesday, replacing the injured Marcell Coetzee. Lock Lood de Jager came in for Victor Matfield, who was also hurt.

The other change was a positional switch, with Francois Louw swapping to the No.7 flank to make way for Brussow, while No.8 Schalk Burger was confirmed as stand-in captain in place of Matfield.

The All Blacks have rested five-eighth Daniel Carter and centre Sonny Bill Williams for the clash at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

The South Africa-New Zealand fixture is a highlight of the annual Rugby Championship,also featuring Australia and Argentina.

Reduced from six rounds to three this year because of the World Cup, the southern hemisphere championship began last weekend with home victories for the Kiwis and Wallabies.

South African team (15-1):

Willie le Roux; JP Pietersen, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Bryan Habana; Handre Pollard, Ruan Pienaar; Schalk Burger (capt), Francois Louw, Heinrich Brussow; Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth; Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira

Res: Adriaan Strauss, Trevor Nyakane, Vincent Koch, Flip van der Merwe, Warren Whiteley, Cobus Reinach, Patrick Lambie, Cornal Hendricks