Rugby-Injured Pienaar replaced by Steyn for Tri-Nations game

DURBAN, July 28 (Reuters) - Flyhalf Morne Stern will replace the injured Ruan Pienaar in the South African side to play New Zealand in a Tri-Nations match on Saturday, selectors said on Tuesday.

Pienaar twisted his ankle during the Springboks' 28-19 win over New Zealand in Bloemfontein last weekend.

South Africa's only other changes were to their replacements, with fit-again lock Andries Bekker replacing number eight Ryan Kankowski and centre Adrian Jacobs taking Steyn's place on the bench.

"As a precautionary measure the coach and the selectors have deemed it fit to give Ruan Pienaar a rest for the upcoming test," team manager Arthob Petersen told a news conference.

"He is a vital component within the strategic approach of the team and it is just a matter of time before he is back in the team," Petersen added.

While Pienaar is known as a running flyhalf Steyn is more of a kicking flyhalf but coach Peter de Villiers said Pienaar's absence would not upset his team's rhythm.

"There will always be injuries so there is no use crying about it. Morne is a very good player, he is a match winner and he has shown that with his franchise side, the Bulls," De Villiers said.

John Smit will become the most capped international captain when he runs out in Durban on Saturday to lead his team for the 60th time.

Smit was more concerned about the challenge that the All Blacks will present.

"An away win in the Tri-nations is reasonably common. What they will bring to Saturday's match is that they will be far better prepared. Last week they only had a few days in the Republic before they had to play at altitude. Now they have come to a venue that they are comfortable with and familiar with and they have had a week to analyse the game that has passed," Smit said.

Inside centre Juan De Villiers and wing Bryan Habana will both reach 50 test caps for South Africa on Saturday.

Team

15-Francois Steyn, 14-JP Pietersen, 13-Jaque Fourie, 12-Jean de Villiers, 11-Bryan Habana, 10- Morne Steyn, 9-Fourie du Preez, 8-Pierre Spies, 7-Juan Smith, 6-Heinrich Brussow, 5-Victor Matfield, 4-Bakkies Botha, 3-John Smit, 2-Bismarck du Plessis, 1-Tendai Mtawarira. (Editing by Clare Fallon; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)