South Africa have made four changes to the starting side that beat New Zealand 30-28 in Dunedin last week for their Tri-Nations Test against Australia at the Subiaco Oval on Saturday.
Number eight Pierre Spies, centre Francois Steyn, fullback Conrad Jantjes and hooker Schalk Brits come into the starting line-up for the match in Perth.
Spies takes over from Joe van Niekerk, who played in the two Tests against New Zealand, Steyn replaces the injured Adrian Jacobs at centre and Jantjes comes in for veteran Percy Montgomery at fullback.
Brits, who was a late call-up for the injured John Smit and was on the bench last week, replaces the banned Bismarck du Plessis, who was suspended for three weeks for making contact around Adam Thomson’s eye last Saturday in Carisbrook.
Uncapped hooker Adriaan Strauss, who only joined the squad in Perth on Tuesday, has been named on the bench.
Van Niekerk and Montgomery drop out of the 22-man squad, as does reserve loose forward Luke Watson.
Ryan Kankowski replaces Watson.
South African coach Peter de Villiers has opted for five forwards and two backs on the replacements’ bench, signalling his intention to attack the Wallabies through the forwards.
Team: Conrad Jantjes; Pietersen, Francois Steyn, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana; Butch James, Ricky Januarie; Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger; Victor Matfield (captain), Bakkies Botha; CJ van der Linde, Schalk Brits, Gurthro Steenkamp. Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Tendai Mtawarira, Brian Mujati, Andries Bekker, Ryan Kankowski, Ruan Pienaar, Peter Grant. — Reuters