Last week, the Boks lost their opening game 40-5 to the much more experienced France, despite South Africa dominating the Test upfront.

It’s the first time that the Springboks will get to face the Islanders, and they are entering the unknown to a large degree.

The Springboks coach, Stanley Raubenheimer, said he was happy with his team's effort against the French and the plan would be to wear out the Fijian defence.

"Everyone came out of the French opener unscathed, which was really good news for us as it meant we could go with the same group again against Fiji," said Raubenheimer.

"The players have now experienced the intensity of this Rugby World Cup and shown that they are improving with every Test.

"We again had a slow start due to all the nervous energy and we hope that this time, the same team will be calmer and more focused in those opening minutes. If we selected a bunch of new players, they would not have been as settled as this group is now."

"The pack of forwards had some nice momentum and showed against France that they can compete with any of the top sides. We want that momentum to continue.

"We were looking for a little more speed and mobility and Lerato will give us that, especially in the second half when we hope to attack a bit more.

"We are hoping to tire Fiji out in the first hour and then attack with players such as Lerato, Lusanda Dumke, Roseline Botes and Zenay Jordaan coming on. Catha has done nothing wrong, but she is a more physical player, so we opted for Lerato, who is faster, more mobile and better suited to our plan in the second half."

Meanwhile, the flyhalf, Zenay Jordaan, who is on the bench, will become South Africa's most capped player when she takes to the field in the must-win Test.

Sunday’s Pool C match between South Africa and Fiji at the Waitakere Stadium in West Auckland kicks off at 6:45.

Springboks - 15 Nadine Roos, 14 Nomawethu Mabenge, 13 Zintle Mpupha, 12 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 11 Simamkele Namba, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 9 Tayla Kinsey, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Rights Mkhari, 4 Nolusindiso Booi, 3 Babalwa Latsha, 2 Lindelwa Gwala, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie 

Replacements - 16 Roseline Botes, 17 Asithandile Ntoyanto, 18 Monica Mazibukwana, 19 Lerato Makua, 20 Lusanda Dumke, 21 Unam Tose, 22 Zenay Jordaan, 23 Eloise Webb  

Morgan Piek OFM Sport