South Africa second row Bakkies Botha is set to play his first Test for the Springboks in more than two years after being named in the team to play Scotland.
The 34-year-old lock won the last of his 76 Test caps at the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, where his time at the tournament was cut short after he injured himself against Namibia in the pool stages.
The injury delayed his debut for French club Toulon but, after impressing in the Top 14, Botha found himself recalled for the Springboks’ European tour by Heyneke Meyer.
“It has been great to have Bakkies back,” said Meyer. “His enthusiasm has been contagious and the younger guys have already learned a lot from spending time with him.”
JP Pietersen, like Botha a World Cup-winner in 2007, is set to win his 50th cap at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield on Sunday, becoming only the third Springbok wing to reach the landmark after Breyton Paulse and current team-mate Bryan Habana.
“This is really a magnificent achievement for one of the many world-class wingers South African rugby has produced,” said Meyer.
“For more than seven years, JP has been one of the most consistent players for the Springboks.
“Were it not for injuries, JP would probably have played many more Tests for South Africa.”
In all, Meyer made five changes to the starting line-up following last weekend’s 24-15 win over Wales in Cardiff.
Botha replaced Eben Etzebeth while in the front row Gurthro Steenkamp and Adriaan Strauss came in for Tendai Mtawarira and Bismarck du Plessis respectively.
In the backs, Willie le Roux starts at full-back with Pat Lambie, who wore the No 15 shirt against Wales, at fly-half in place of Morne Steyn.
A final decision on the fitness of Steyn (back) and Willem Alberts (shoulder) will be made on Saturday.
South Africa (15-1)
Willie le Roux; JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers (capt), Bryan Habana; Pat Lambie, Fourie du Preez; Duane Vermeulen, Willem Alberts/Siya Kolise, Francois Louw; Flip van der Merwe, Bakkies Botha; Frans Malherbe, Adriaan Strauss, Gurthro Steenkamp
Replacements: Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira, Coenie Oosthuizen, Eben Etzebeth, Marcell Coetzee, Ruan Pienaar, Morne Steyn/AN Other, JJ Engelbrecht