Bryan Habana is one of five Springbok changes made for the game with Namibia on Thursday © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Bryan Habana

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Bryan Habana has been recalled to the South African side as coach Peter de Villiers makes five changes for their Rugby World Cup Pool D clash with Namibia on Thursday.

Habana comes in to replace JP Pietersen after recovering from the knee injury which ruled him out of the 49-3 win over Fiji.

Francois Hougaard, who impressed by scoring the match-winning try against Wales, is rewarded with a start at scrum-half, replacing Fourie du Preez who drops to the bench.

The other changes see winger Gio Aplon, flanker Willem Alberts and experienced tight-head prop CJ Van der Linde also come into the First XV.

If Habana crosses the whitewash he could become the Springboks' record try-scorer. He is currently joint record-holder with Joost van der Westhuizen on 38 tries after equalling his record against Italy in June 2010.

Perhaps wanting to keep continuity, De Villiers has not made wholesale changes for the game the Boks are expected to win handsomely. The last two times the teams met, the Boks ran away 105-13 winners 2007.

The players to make way for the game are flanker Heinrich Brussow, winger Odwa Ndungane and prop Jannie Du Plessis.

Locks Victor Matfield (hamstring) and Johann Muller (hamstring), centre Jean de Villiers (rib cartilage) and fly-half Butch James (hip flexor) remain sidelined because of injuries.

South Africa: Pat Lambie, Gio Aplon, Jaque Fourie, Frans Steyn, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Francois Hougaard; Gurthro Steenkamp, John Smit (captain), CJ Van der Linde, Bakkies Botha, Danie Rossouw, Willem Alberts, Schalk Burger, Pierre Spies. Replacements: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Tendai Mtawarira, Francois Louw, Heinrich Brussow, Fourie du Preez, Ruan Pienaar, Juan de Jongh.