Test hooker Stephen Moore is on his way back to Australia from South Africa after a hamstring injury prematurely ended his Rugby Championship.

Against the Springboks in Pretoria on Saturday Moore was set to become the most capped hooker in Wallabies history, overtaking Jeremy Paul with the pair currently both on 72.

However the 29-year-old re-injured his troublesome hamstring at training and returned home on Tuesday night.

The injury has forced him to miss the past two Wallabies Tests.

Tatafu Polota-Nau will start at hooker and Saia Faingaa will come on to the bench.

Moore has been replaced in the Wallabies squad by Queenslander James Hanson, who joins the squad on Wednesday.

Hanson will remain with the side for their trip to Argentina to play the Pumas at Rosario on October 7.