Ralepelle will complete a notable double as he last captained a Springbok team against a World XV, also in Leicester, in 2006.

The 22-man squad announced today includes 12 players with Test experience totaling 186 caps. Ralepelle and fellow forwards Gurthro Steenkamp, Jannie du Plessis, Danie Rossouw, Andries Bekker and Heinrich Brüssow were all members of the Tri-Nations team, along with fly-half Ruan Pienaar, centre Wynand Olivier and wing Odwa Ndungane.

The match marks a return for wing Jongi Nokwe, who last played in the third Test against the British & Irish Lions in July. The centre Meyer Bosman and prop Heinke van der Merwe are included on the bench on their return to international contention.

Danie Rossouw is the most experienced man on parade, with 43 Test caps, while there are five uncapped players in the starting XV, including Dewald Potgieter, Heini Adams and Earl Rose who all played against the British & Irish Lions earlier this year.

"Our focus is fully on the Leicester match because it is important that we get the tour off to a good start," said Springbok coach Peter de Villiers.

"It is also important that we strive to give all of the newcomers game time in the opener.

"It is great to have a host of players in the 22 that have played at Test level and can use their experience to assist the newcomers to settle quickly.

"Leicester will be tough opponents. They have been consistently good for the past few seasons and are one of the top club teams in the northern hemisphere."

Friday's game is a 24,000 sell-out. There are still tickets available to supporters for the welcome dinner attended by both squads at Welford Road on Wednesday. Contact the Tigers conference & events team by calling 0844 856 1880 or email conferenceandevents@tigers.co.uk

South Africa (v Leicester Tigers, Welford Road, Friday 7.30pm)
15 Earl Rose
14 Odwa Ndungane
13 Juan de Jongh
12 Wynand Olivier
11 Jongi Nokwe
10 Ruan Pienaar
1 Gurthro Steenkamp
2 Chiliboy Ralepelle (captain)
3 Jannie du Plessis
4 Danie Rossouw
5 Andries Bekker
6 Heinrich Brüssow
7 Dewald Potgieter
8 Ashley Johnson
9 Heini Adams

Replacements
16 Bandise Maku
17 Heinke van der Merwe
18 Alistair Hargreaves
19 Davon Raubenheimer
20 Francois Hougaard
21 Meyer Bosman
22 Riaan Viljoen