Jake White picked his strongest possible squad to take on Samoa this coming Sunday.

John Smit makes his return to the side and will captain a side that has played in a combined total of 609 test matches (that is just the starting XV). Jean de Villiers slots back into the inside centre position after recovering from a rib injury. JP Pietersen gets the nod for the number 14 jersey and hopefully he will silence his critics and grab this opportunity with both hands.

SA side to face Samoa: 15. Percy Montgomery, 14. JP Pietersen, 13. Jaque Fourie, 12. jean de Villiers, 11. Btyan Habana, 10. Butch James, 9. Fourie du Preez, 8. Danie Rossouw, 7. Juan Smith, 6. Schalk Burger, 5. Victor Matfield, 4. Bakkies Botha, 3. CJ van der Linde, 2. John Smit(captain), 1. Os du Randt

Reserves: 16. Bismarck du Plessis, 17. BJ Botha, 18. Johann Muller, 19. Wikus van Heerden, 20. Ricky Januarie, 21. Andre Pretorius, 22. Francois Steyn

The Bokke should expect a hard, physical encounter against the Samoans but the experience and size of the SA side should see them to a comfortable victory.

SARB would like to wish the Springboks all the best for their World Cup campaign.