Like the Wallabies, South Africa have made three changes to their starting side for Saturday night’s Rugby Championship battle at Suncorp Stadium.
Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer delivered on his promise to rotate key players with two alterations to his tight-five by promoting world-class hooker Bismarck du Plessis and lock Flip van der Merwe.
Du Plessis joins an all-Sharks front-row by replacing Adrian Strauss and also gains the vice-captaincy while lineout caller Juandre Kruger has made way for Van der Merwe.
Meyer has recalled no-frills fullback Zane Kirchner in the only change to the backline from the team that overcame Argentina 22-17 in Mendoza 10 days ago.
The maligned Kirchner’s return has seen the more attacking Willie Le Roux, who struggled under the high balls against the Pumas, moved to the wing at the expense of speedster Bjorn Basson.
Australia also made three changes to their starting 15 on Wednesday with Israel Folau moved to fullback, opening the way for Nick Cummins to start on the wing, while five-eighth Quade Cooper and prop Sekope Kepu were also promoted.
South Africa: Zane Kirchner, Willie le Roux, JJ Engelbrecht, Jean de Villiers (capt), Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Ruan Pienaar; Duanne Vermeulen, Willem Alberts, Francois Louw, Flip van der Merwe, Eben Etzebeth, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira. Res: Adriaan Strauss, Gurthro Steenkamp, Coenie Oosthuizen, Juandre Kruger, Siya Kolisi, Jano Vermaak, Pat Lambie, Jan Serfontein.