BACK IN BLACK: Richie McCaw returns to the All Blacks' starting lineup after two weeks on the sideline with a knee ligament injury.

The All Blacks have gained Richie McCaw but lost Owen Franks for this weekend's deciding Rugby Championship test against the Springboks at Ellis Park.

McCaw's starting return is a major boost.

After sitting out the last two tests the All Blacks captain has made a swift recovery from a medial ligament knee injury to re-form a classy loose-forward trio with Kieran Read and Liam Messam.

In his 120th test, McCaw's experience is sure to be essential in what shapes as the biggest challenge of the season for the All Blacks.

The Boks fancy their chances of targeting the crucial breakdown battle and McCaw's ability here will be invaluable.

Franks, however, has failed to recover in time from a groin injury he suffered against the Pumas in La Plata last weekend.

His belated exit forces a second change to the starting side, with tighthead prop Charlie Faumuina coming into the side and Ben Franks on to the bench.

North Harbour prop Ben Afeaki has also officially been called into the squad as cover.

"He's [Owen Franks] our No 1 tighthead but Charlie has been playing particularly well and scrummaging good," All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said.

"It's just another one of those injuries. You get them and you've got to cope with them."

Faumuina made an impressive second-half cameo last week to stabilise a back-pedalling All Blacks' scrum but it will be interesting to see how he handles a rare start. Ben Franks' natural role is also at loose-head.

The only slight selection surprise comes at hooker where veteran Andrew Hore has been preferred over Dane Coles. Keven Mealamu misses the squad, meaning Hore will be the only All Black to have previous experience of playing a test at Ellis Park.

It was thought Coles would making a starting return after sitting out last week's win over Argentina. Hansen has been intent on monitoring his workload but Coles is seen as the future.

After sitting on the bench against the Wallabies last week, imposing Boks rake Bismarck du Plessis will make a starting return and Hansen has elected to ask Hore to counter the South African's physicality and strong set-piece ability early.

"When you select this team it's always difficult because you've got choices," Hansen said.

"This is no different. For this match we think Hore is the man to go with.

"He brings a lot of experience, no more than Kevy, but he offers a style of game that will suit us in that first 40 minutes."

McCaw's return sees openside flanker Sam Cane drop to the bench after two standout performances against the Springboks and Pumas. It will also require Steven Luatua to cover lock from the reserves with Jeremy Thrush pushed out of the side.

"The Springboks at Ellis Park is a challenge the team is really looking forward to, one we are very excited about," Hansen said.

"We know South Africa will come at us with their physical game but to win the Rugby Championship they'll have to do that by scoring four tries.

"We are expecting more ball movement than we have seen in the past.

"The answer is pretty simple for us. We will have to match their physicality and be very accurate with our execution across the park, both on attack and defensively."

ALL BLACKS: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Charlie Faumuina, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Steven Luatua, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Charles Piutau