Botha, who scored two tries and was man-of-the match in the31-17 first-Test win in Bloemfontein, is unavailable for the second because of an ankle injury.

Quinton Davids steps in, and OSullivan remains far from convinced that Bothas absence will be significant.

Bakkies might be better in certain areas, while Davids is better in others, he said.

I am sure (Springbok coach) Jake White will make sure that the team does not lose anything.

In fact, OSullivan reasons Bothas injury could yet be bad news for the tourists.

It may hurt us. It happens sometimes that the guy who comes in plays the best game of his life, because he wants to show he should have been there in the first place, said the Irish coach.

The Irish must find a way to neutralise the Boks scrums and line-outs but have a more polished back division.

For the hosts, Wayne Julies defensive shortcomings at inside-centre will be tested again - while the Jaco van der Westhuyzens suspect tactical kicking will be a concern.

The mercurial Percy Montgomery comes in as the goal-kicking option, but many South Africa fans are yet to be convinced of his abilities on that score.

South Africa: P Montgomery, B Paulse, M Joubert, W Julies, J Fourie, J van der Westhuyzen, F du Preez; J Cronje, P Wannenburg, S Burger, V Matfield, Q Davids, E Andrews, J Smit (capt), O du Randt. Replacements: H Shimange, CJ van der Linde, G Cronje, G Britz, B Conradie, G du Toit, B Russell.

Ireland: G Dempsey, G Murphy, B O'Driscoll (capt), S Horgan, T Howe, R OGara, P Stringer; A Foley, D Wallace, S Easterby, P OConnell, M OKelly, J Hayes, S Byrne, R Corrigan. Replacements: F Sheahan, M Horan, D O'Callaghan, A Quinlan, G Easterby, D Humphreys, K Maggs.
Referee: J Jutge (France). Touch judges: T Spreadbury (England) and N Owens (Wales).