Du Preez to lead Springboks against Scotland
Experienced scrum-half Fourie du Preez will captain South Africa when they face Scotland in the Rugby World Cup this weekend.
Fourie du Preez will captain South Africa for the first time in Saturday's Rugby World Cup Pool B clash with Scotland and coach Heyneke Meyer has made three changes to his side.
Scrum-half Du Preez will lead out his country at St James' Park after Jean de Villiers suffered a fractured jaw in the 46-6 thrashing of Samoa last weekend and then announced his retirement.
Jesse Kriel comes into starting line-up to face leaders Scotland in the absence of De Villiers, while Lood de Jager gets his chance at lock after vice-captain Victor Matfield was ruled out due to a hamstring injury.
Hooker Bismarck du Plessis returns, with Adriaan Strauss dropping to the bench as South Africa aim to record back-to-back wins following their sensational opening defeat to Japan.
Meyer said the vastly experienced Du Preez deserves his chance to skipper the Springboks in what will be his 73rd Test.
He said: "Fourie has been one of the best scrum-halves in world rugby for a long time, but he also understands the game better than most players and is a tactical genius.
"He will know exactly what is needed on Saturday when we continue our fight to keep our World Cup dream alive.
"Schalk (Burger) stood in on the last occasion that Jean and Victor were both absent earlier this season before Fourie had returned to fitness. They are both great leaders who go about their work in contrasting ways and I think they will work extremely well in tandem.
"They are hugely experienced and they know what it will take to win this very important match against a great Scottish side."
South Africa team: Willie le Roux, JP Pietersen, Jesse Kriel, Damian De Allende, Bryan Habana, Handre Pollard, Fourie du Preez, Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger, Francois Louw, Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Trevor Nyakane, Frans Malherbe, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Willem Alberts, Ruan Pienaar, Pat Lambie, Jan Serfontein.