Springboks coach Allister Coetzee has backed his decision to select Pieter-Steph du Toit at starting blindside flank for Saturday's Test against the All Blacks in Cape Town.
Looking for some payback after losing 0-57 to New Zealand in Albany three weeks ago, Coetzee will start both Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager as locks with Du Toit on the blindside side of the scrum.
The move has caused some criticism in South Africa as a result of Du Toit having been tried in the position before, notably in the loss against Japan at the 2015 Rugby World Cup and last year against England when he had a poor game.
Coetzee said when naming the Springbok side in Cape Town on Thursday: "I can't comment on the performance against Japan, but yes, against England it maybe didn't go well on the defensive front.
"But ever since then he has grown and improved a lot. I think you'll see a much-improved Pieter-Steph on the flank this Saturday.
"He's made a real conscious effort to be prepared to face a running scrumhalf which presents challenges on defence.
"Being a tall man, he understands what to expect now, and we've worked at his body position and ensuring that with the guys around him, he stays within the mini unit," he said.
Recalled British-based player Francois Louw will play number eight in place of the injured Uzair Cassiem.
Coetzee said the selection was based on securing more ball.
"If you also look at Lood starting, it's part of ensuring that we have the right options out there.
"We have Franco Mostert providing impact off the bench. Lood is an experienced lineout forward, and with Pieter-Steph there too, you can see that there is quality for our lineout plan.
"We have to have an improvement at lineout time. Lood is an experienced player and he should add value in terms of both attacking and defensive lineouts, while Pieter-Steph will just add another option at the back. You have to have loosies that can jump," he said.
"The pleasing thing is we have been creating opportunities. But it's important to note the next action doesn't necessarily lead to a try. The players need to be more patient and go through one or two more phases."
For prop Steven Kitshoff selection will provide him with his first start after 17 Tests off the bench.
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