Flank Fraser McReight will captain Australia as they seek a second successive win against South Africa in their Rugby Championship match at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
Kick-off is at 17:10.
Injury-enforced changes
McReight takes over the leadership of the Wallabies after regular captain Harry Wilson was injured after scoring two tries during his team’s upset 38-22 win over the Springboks in Johannesburg last Saturday.
Rob Valetini will replace Wilson at eighthman in one of three injury-enforced changes.
Uncapped Corey Toole will start on the left wing in place of Dylan Pietsch, who suffered a broken jaw during last week’s victory, while Tom Robertson will scrum down at loosehead prop because veteran James Slipper has returned home under head injury protocols.
Coach Joe Schmidt said the Wallabies expected a tough match against the world champion Springboks, who on Tuesday announced 10 changes to their starting team after the Johannesburg defeat.
“The squad as a whole has recovered pretty well from what was a very draining and physical Test match on the highveld last week,” said Schmidt.
“We struggled to contain a powerhouse Springbok start last weekend and we know that we have to improve leading into what is likely to be a bruising encounter,” said Schmidt, referring to a blistering start by the Springboks, who led 22-0 in Johannesburg before the Wallabies stormed back.
The Wallabies will be seeking a third successive win after beating the British and Irish Lions 22-12 in Sydney on August 2 before travelling to South Africa.
TEAMS
South Africa
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jean-Luc du Preez, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 RG Snyman,3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Lood de Jager, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Australia
15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Akuso Suaalii, 12 Len Iketau, 11 Corey Toole, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 Tom Robertson
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Andrew Kellaway
Date: Saturday, 23 August
Venue: Cape Town Stadium
Kick-off: 17:00
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
TMO: Richard Kelly (Australia)
Will Australia make it two wins from two matches or will the Springboks bounce back?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
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