Pat Lambie has been handed the fullback spot © Getty Images

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Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer has made three changes to his matchday squad ahead of the second Test against England in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The Sharks' Pat Lambie has been handed the fullback reins for the Test in place of the injured Zane Kirchner. Elsewhere, Werner Kruger replaces the sidelined Coenie Oosthuizen amongst the replacements while winger Bjorn Basson replaces Lambie on the bench.

South Africa are leading the three Test series 1-0 after taking the match in Durban 22-17 and Meyer is looking for his squad to continue in the same vein.

"We decided against no unnecessary changes as we aim to build some continuity during this season," Meyer said. "We still have not had a lot of preparation time, but I'm pleased to have seen how the players have been getting stuck in - on the training field and during our off-field sessions.

"This weekend will be a big challenge yet again against a good England side, but our focus is still on ourselves. We need to show further improvement from last weekend and have to make a step up this weekend. We have confidence in all the players in our squad and that is why Pat, Werner and Bjorn have slotted in easily. Everyone knows what is needed this weekend and they have been very sharp at training. We now need to translate that to the match on Saturday."

South Africa side to face England:
Pat Lambie, JP Pietersen, Jean de Villiers (captain), Frans Steyn, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Francois Hougaard; Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Eben Etzebeth, Juandre Kruger, Marcell Coetzee, Willem Alberts, Pierre Spies

Replacements: Adrian Strauss, Werner Kruger, Flip van der Merwe, Keegan Daniel, Ruan Pienaar, Wynand Olivier, Bjorn Basson