South Africa make 10 changes for third test

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has made 10 changes to his starting team for the third test against the British and Irish Lions on Saturday.

Injuries and suspensions have taken their toll on the world champions who clinched the series with their 28-25 victory in the second test on Saturday.

Zane Kirchner will make his debut at fullback and Odwa Ndungane and Jongikhaya Nokwe replaced Bryan Habana and JP Pietersen on the wings.

Jaque Fourie and Wynand Olivier form a new centre pairing and Morne Steyn, who kicked the winning penalty in Pretoria last week, starts at flyhalf.

"The Lions will have their hands full playing against the backline we have chosen. I hope Wynand Olivier and Jaque Fourie can create the space we need because then the Lions will know Jongi Nokwe's number. He gives me goosebumps and if you blink you don't see him," De Villiers told a news conference on Thursday.

Forwards Schalk Burger and Bakkies Botha miss the game through suspension and will be replaced by Heinrich Brussow and former captain Johann Muller.

"The Lions will come at us with fearless drives and we need to have some beef there if we are going to get good ball for the backs," De Villiers said.

Bulls hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle replaced Bismarck du Plessis at hooker.

"The off-field stuff sometimes gives me more sleepless nights than what happens on the field. We've had a lot of setbacks this week and I changed my mind on some tough selection calls four or five times," De Villiers said.

De Villiers ended the news conference by criticising British media.

"We had negative media from Britain in 1974 and 1980 and now I've allowed it again in 2009. What a stupid bugger I am! I've learnt that if they can't win on the field then they will try to win anywhere else they can," De Villiers said.

Team - 15-Zane Kirchner, 14-Odwa Ndungane, 13-Jaque Fourie, 12-Wynand Olivier, 11-Jongikhaya Nokwe, 10-Morne Steyn, 9-Fourie du Preez, 8-Ryan Kankowski, 7-Juan Smith, 6-Heinrich Brussow, 5-Victor Matfield, 4-Johann Muller, 3-John Smit, 2-Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1-Tendai Mtawarira.

Replacements: 16-Bismarck du Plessis, 17-Gurthro Steenkamp, 18-Deon Carstens, 19-Steven Sykes, 20-Pierre Spies, 21-Ruan Pienaar, 22-Francois Steyn.

(Editing by Ed Osmond)