Springbok coach Peter de Villiers will use Saturday's second Test against Wales in Pretoria as part of his preparations for the Tri-Nations, which starts next month.

De Villiers, who drafted back a number of World Cup stars for the Loftus Versfeld showdown with Wales, admitted he has already set his sights beyond the next fortnight — in which the Boks will clash with Wales and Italy.

De Villiers included the world's premier line-out forward Victor Matfield, World Cup prop BJ Botha and scrumhalf Ricky Januarie in the team for the Pretoria Test.

Two debutants, Andries Bekker at lock and Brian Mujati at prop, along with scrumhalf Bolla Conradie lost out as De Villiers made four changes in all. Springbok Gürthro Steenkamp also made way for Tendai Mtawarira, who will make his debut against Wales this week.

Rolling out the big guns

However, it is the inclusion of Matfield, Botha and Januarie that gives the Boks a healthy dosage of added experience for the trip to Loftus.

"We've rolled out the big guns to begin building for the Tri-Nations," De Villiers told a media gathering at the team's base in Johannesburg on Thursday.

"We know what level will be required when we meet New Zealand (in the Tri-Nations opener in Wellington on July 5), so for me it's also important to see how a few of these younger players adjust," the Bok coach added.

De Villiers said he expects a fierce onslaught from the Welsh after last week's 17-43 loss to the Boks in Bloemfontein last week.

"We know Wales are going to come out blasting," the Bok coach said, adding: "They've had some time to examine their shortcomings and we expect a far better display."

Like De Villiers, captain John Smit was expecting a huge onslaught from Wales.

"We won't fall into the trap of under-estimating them," De Villiers said about last week's big win, adding: "Our goal is to keep on raising our performance in every game."

Januarie is number one

Januarie returns to the starting XV after missing last week's first Test through suspension — having overstepped the acceptable boundaries of team behaviour. He was banned by team management for what is believed to have been "rowdy behaviour" in the team room after he had an afternoon outing with some friends.

Conradie produced a fine display in the first Test, but now finds himself on the bench.

"Ricky was always the number one scrumhalf, and I believe it's important to have our best players out there."

There are also two new faces on the bench, with Sharks number eight Ryan Kankowski standing in for Danie Rossouw and Peter Grant making way for Frans Steyn.

De Villiers admitted that Steyn, despite fulfilling a utility role from the bench on Saturday, has indicated that he wants to specialise.

"Frans wants to be a number 10. We have to persist with getting him where we want him to be in terms of standards.

"It's not about me, it's about what the player wants. He knows he will have a lot to work on before the end of this year and eventually the World Cup. I think he will do well at 10."

New cap Mtawarira was both excited and apprehensive.

"It is a huge honour to play for South Africa. The country has been good to us," he said, referring to the fact that he, like Brian Mujati and Tonderai Chavhanga, are Zimbabwean-born.

"We will lay our bodies on the line for the Springboks," he promised.

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