Veteran South Africa prop Tendai Mtawarira will miss the Springboks' Test against New Zealand in the Rugby Championship for unspecified "family reasons", coach Allister Coetzee says.
"Losing your most experienced player is not ideal, but family comes first in our caring environment," Coetzee told a news conference on Thursday. "He's got to take care of personal and family matters."
The 32-year-old Mtawarira is South Africa's most experienced player with 95 caps and had been in a rich vein of form.
He will be replaced by Steven Kitshoff, who gets his first start after 18 Test appearances off the bench.
South Africa have made three changes with Francois Louw moving to No.8 to replace the injured Uzair Cassiem and Pieter-Steph du Toit coming in on the flank where Louw played in the 27-27 draw with Australia in Bloemfontein last week.
Lood de Jager replaces Franco Mostert at lock.
South Africa suffered a record 57-0 defeat to New Zealand away last month.
"The All Blacks will again test us in every department. They don't seem to have any weak areas, so we will have to show that we've learnt from our experience in Albany," Coetzee said.
"Saturday is another huge opportunity for us to continue to grow as a team and build on our cohesion."
South Africa hosts the All Blacks on Sunday October 8, kicking off at 2:05am AEDT, LIVE on FOX SPORTS.
TEAM
IN: Wilko Louw, Lood de Jager
OUT: Tendai Mtawarira, Uzair Casseim
Springboks to take on the All Blacks
1. Steven Kitshoff
2. Malcolm Marx
3. Ruan Dreyer
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Lood de Jager
6. Siya Kolisi
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit
8. Francois Louw
9. Ross Cronje
10. Elton Jantjies
11. Courtnall Skosan
12. Jan Serfontein
13. Jesse Kriel
14. Dillyn Leyds
15. Andries Coetzee
Reserves
16. Chiliboy Ralepelle
17. Trevor Nyakane
18. Wilko Louw
19. Franco Mostert
20. Jean-Luc du Preez
21. Rudy Paige
22. Handre Pollard
23. Damian de Allende
