LEINSTER’S ZANE KIRCHNER is one of three changes to South Africa’s side to face Australia in the Rugby Championship this Saturday.
However, it is the Australian XV which will see the most upheaval with Ewen McKenzie favourite, Quade Cooper coming into the number 10 shirt in place of Matt Toomua.
Break-out League talent Israel Folau moves to fullback for his first international start in the number 15 shirt.
The Springboks remaining changes see hooker Bismarck du Plessis and lock Flip van der Merwe come into the 15, with Adriaan Strauss, Juandre Kruger and Bjorn Basson the trio to make way as the Springboks attempt to maintain their unbeaten status in the 2013 Rugby Championship.
Strauss and Kruger drop to the bench, Basson is omitted from the squad, while South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer also made two positional changes to his starting 15.
Meyer moves Willie le Roux to the right wing and veteran Bryan Habana to the left, paving the way for Kirchner’s first Test back from a hand injury at full-back.
“A few of these changes are purely rotational in order to give guys with fresh legs a go, while others are simply a case of horses for courses,” Meyer said.
“We’re fortunate to be in a position to rotate players of the calibre of Bismarck and Adriaan, while we felt this was the right opportunity to give Flip and Zane a go in the starting team.“In the end, the most important factor still remains consistency in selection. In our squad, any player can slot in at any stage, and that is a good position to be in.”
Having already had two impressive victories over Argentina, South Africa currently sit at the top of the Rugby Championship table standings but need to win at Suncorp Stadium to maintain their push for the title.
South Africa have never defeated Australia at the Brisbane ground and Meyer knows his side face an extremely tough challenge.
“If we are going to progress as a team, we need to start winning away from home and Saturday’s Test provides this challenge,” Meyer said.
“It’s no use looking at history now – we have to focus on the Test, ensure we tick the right boxes and improve in the areas where we let ourselves down in Mendoza.”
South Africa: Zane Kirchner; Willie le Roux, JJ Engelbrecht, Jean de Villiers (capt), Bryan Habana; Morne Steyn, Ruan Pienaar: Duane Vermeulen, Willem Alberts, Francois Louw, Flip van der Merwe, Eben Etzebeth, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira.Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Gurthro Steenkamp, Coenie Oosthuizen, Juandre Kruger, Siya Kolisi, Jano Vermaak, Pat Lambie, Jan Serfontein.
Australia: Israel Folau, Nick Cummins, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Christian Lealiifano, James O’Connor, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Ben Mowen, Michael Hooper, Scott Fardy, James Horwill, Rob Simmons, Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore, James Slipper.
Replacements: Saia Faingaa, Scott Sio, Ben Alexander, Kane Douglas, Jake Schatz, Nic White, Matt Toomua, Jesse Mogg.
