Springboks lock Victor Matfield will captain South Africa in one of seven changes to the side to play Samoa in their final Pool D match this Friday.

Matfield returns after a two match absence and replaces his usual second row partner Bakkies Botha.

Captain John Smit drops to the bench, allowing hooker Bismark du Plessis to make his first start of the tournament.

South Africa lead Pool D after beating Wales, Fiji and Namibia in their three pool matches so far and only need one point from the clash against Samoa to earn a quarter final berth.

Also returning to the side is influential flanker Heinrich Brussow.

Fourie du Preez regains his position at scrumhalf and Morne Steyn continues as fly-half after a superb performance against Namibia.

Jaque Fourie and Frans Steyn are returning as centres.

The Springboks and Samoa match kicks off 7.30pm this Friday.

Meanwhile, at 4pm today, Japan will play Canada and at 6.30pm Italy is up against USA.

Story by: Dhanjay Deo
Source: stuff.co.nz