South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has made four changes to his side for Saturday’s Tri-Nations match against Australia in Brisbane.
One change is enforced after Sunday’s 31-17 defeat by New Zealand, with winger Jean de Villiers suspended.
Wing Gia Aplon, forwards Ryan Kankowski and BJ Botha, and scrum-half Ruan Pienaar are the quartet who come in.
Australia make three changes with lock Nathan Sharpe, scrum-half Will Genia, and prop Benn Robinson returning.
Genia has recovered from the fractured hand he suffered in last month’s one-point loss to England in Sydney, and replaces Luke Burgess, while second rower Sharpe returns following a back injury.
Robinson takes over from Ben Daley in the front row.
The Wallabies were forced to make a late change to their replacements line-up on Thursday after flanker Matt Hodgson suffered a groin injury.
Hodgson will be replaced in the squad by Western Force team-mate Ben McCalman, who would be making his Test debut if he comes off the bench.
Hodgson, who suffered the injury in training on Tuesday, is expected to be fit for next week’s clash against New Zealand in Melbourne.
Australia coach Robbie Deans is hoping his side can take advantage of their watching brief so far in the tournament.
“We’ve obviously been able to have a good look at both South Africa and New Zealand through their matches over the last two weekends,” he said.
“Those games have left our players in no doubt as to the magnitude of the task ahead.
“This competition features the top three sides in the world rankings, and we are chasing the other two.”
The South African changes sees Ricky Januarie, Francois Louw and CJ van der Linde miss out as coach De Villiers opts for pace over power.
“We have to bring some speed into our team,” said coach De Villiers. “Statistics show that [Brisbane] has the fastest playing surface in the Super 14 and we have to be prepared for a faster game.”
After two taxing losses to the All Blacks, including the 32-12 reverse on 10 July, champions South Africa will face a fresh Australian side just starting their tournament and eager to improve their unbeaten record against the Springboks at Lang Park.
South Africa have not won a Test against Australia in Brisbane since the 1970s.
“We have two tough games behind us, but if we stick to our structures and use our opportunities I believe this team is capable of getting a result,” added De Villiers.
Other changes to the match 22 see lock Flip van der Merwe coming on to the replacements bench in place of the injured Andries Bekker, alongside loose forward Dewald Potgieter, wing Francois Hougaard and centre Juan de Jongh.
Defeat for the Springboks would all but end their hopes of retaining their title as no side has won the tournament after losing three matches.
South Africa: Kirchner, Aplon, Fourie, Olivier, Habana, Steyn, Pienaar; Steenkamp, Smit (captain), Botha, Rossouw, Matfield, Burger, Kankowski, Spies.
Replacements: Ralepelle, Van der Linde, Van der Merwe, Potgieter, Hougaard, James, De Jongh.
Australia: Ashley-Cooper, O’Connor, Horne, Giteau, Mitchell, Cooper, Genia, Robinson, Faingaa, Ma’afu, Mumm, Sharpe, Elsom, Pocock, Brown.
Replacements: Reserves: Moore, Slipper, Simmons, McCalman, Burgess, Barnes, Beale
