Hendricks, who was crowned South Africa’s Sevens Player of 2013, was named in the starting 15 when Heyneke Meyer announced his team to take on the Samsung-sponsored side.
“Cornal is a player I’ve been following for some time and I thought he made a very good transition from sevens to the 15-man code earlier this year,” said Meyer. “He’s big and very fast, and hopefully we’ll be able to provide him with some space to attack in.
“The Springbok Sevens can be very proud of the way in which they aided in his development to a top-class player.”
Victor Matfield, who was named the interim captain on Tuesday, will be reunited with long-time lock partner Bakkies Botha, while Schalk Burger makes his return to Test rugby after a two and a half year absence.
However, the squad includes 10 players who started for the Springboks in their final Test last year, a statistic that pleases Meyer going into the June internationals.
“It’s positive to have this kind of continuity in our first start of the year,” he said.
“Even though we’ll be starting with a new midfield combination, Frans and JP have both played more than 50 Tests for the Boks and with Bryan Habana also in the backline; Cornal will start with a lot of experience around him.
“We’re expecting a stern test on Saturday against the World XV and our mindset is to make our nation proud – it should never be anything else when the Springboks play.
“It will also be a good way to start the season before our first Test next week against Wales, but for now we’re only focused on the World XV and playing well.
“Our aim for the season is to accelerate and make a step up from 2013. To put ourselves in a position to do that, we simply have to start well.”
The Springbok team to face the Samsung-sponsored World XV in Cape Town is:
15- Willie le Roux, 14- Cornal Hendricks, 13- JP Pietersen, 12 – Frans Steyn, 11- Bryan Habana, 10 – Morne Steyn, 9- Ruan Pienaar, 8- Duane Vermeulen, 7- Willem Alberts, 6- Francois Louw, 5- Victor Matfield, 4- Bakkies Botha, 3- Bakkies Botha, 2- Bismarck du Plessis, 2- Bismarck du Plessis, 1- Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements:
16 -Schalk Brits, 17- Gurthrö Steenkamp, 18- Coenie Oosthuizen, 19- Flip van der Merwe, 20- Schalk Burger, 21- Fourie du Preez, 22 – Johan Goosen, 23- Lwazi Mvovo.
