Vermeulen returns for Springboks among five changes for Ellis Park Test

Ulster's Duane Vermeulen will return to the South Africa team for Saturday's second Rugby Championship meeting with New Zealand at Ellis Park.

The veteran number 8 replaces Jasper Wiese in the back row, having recovered from the knee surgery he underwent at the end of the URC season.

Vermeulen is one of five changes from last week's 26-10 win against the All Blacks in Nelspruit, packing down in between captain Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit in the back row.

There are also a pair of changes in the front row, with Sharks duo Ox Nche and Bongi Mbonambi coming in for Trevor Nyakane and Malcolm Marx respectively.

Frans Malherbe completes the front row to win his 50th cap, with the usual pair of Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager at lock.

Jaden Hendrikse comes in at scrum-half after Faf de Klerk was ruled out due to concussion, partnering Handre Pollard, while former Munster man Damian de Allende starts inside Lukhanyo Am in the centre.

The final change comes on the right wing, with Jesse Kriel in the 14 shirt, replacing Bulls' Kurt-Lee Arendse, who was suspended for four games following his red card in last week's win.

South Africa: Damian Willemse; Jesse Kriel, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi; Handre Pollard, Jaden Hendrikse; Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe; Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager; Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen

Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Franco Mostert, Jasper Wiese, Kwagga Smith, Hershel Jantjies, Willie le Roux