Islanders make five changes for Boks

The Pacific Islanders have made five changes to the side that went down 41-26 to All Blacks last week for Saturday's showdown with South Africa in Gosford, Australia.

Four of those changes come in the backs, with veteran hitman Brian Lima dropping to the bench to make room for Seilala Mapusua who returns after serving his ban for dangerous play during the Australia fixture.

Fiji winger Sireli Bobo comes in to cover for Lome Fa'atau who was forced to abandon the New Zealand game with an injury.

Norman Ligairi comes in for his second Islanders cap after winning back the No.15 jersey from Seru Rabeni who is shunted into the midfield in place of Seremaia Bai.

Coach Jon Boe has kept faith with his forwards, barring the inclusion of prop Tevita Taumoepeau who comes in a the expense of Taufa'ao Filise who drops to the bench.

Taumoepeau comes in a tighthead with the industrious Soane Tonga'uiha switching to loosehead in order to accommodate his fellow Tongan.

Meanwhile, influential captain Inoke Afeaki has been cleared to start the game after being forced to leave the field last weekend with an ankle injury.

Boe believes his side are capable of stepping up a gear for Saturday - the Islanders last game for the foreseeable future, and is confident that his pack can is confront what he expects to be a forward-dominated Springbok effort.

Boe also revealed that he enlisted the help of former Australia coach Rod Macqueen, who had reviewed the Islanders previous performances and had offered them a few useful hints ahead of the their date with the touring South Africans.

Pacific Islanders: 15 Norman Ligairi 14 Sereli Bobo, 13 Seilala Mapusua, 12 Seru Rabeni, 11 Stitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Tanner Vili, 9 Mosese Raulini, 8 Sisa Koyamaibole, 7 Alivereti Doviverata, 6 Sione Lauaki, 5 Ifereimi Rawaqa, 4 Inoke Afeaki (captain), 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Joeli Lotawa, 17 Taufaao Filise, 18 Filipo Levi, 19 Tu Tamarua, 20 Steve So'oialo, 21 Seremaia Bai, 21 Brian Lima.

Kick-off: 07.35 (09.35 GMT)