Australia v South Africa preview

Nick Phipps and Bernard Foley will lead Australia‘s attack on Saturday as they take on South Africa for the third round of the Rugby Championship.
In a side that shows five changes from the one that was thumped in Auckland two weeks ago, the Super Rugby-winning Waratahs duo replace Nic White and Kurtley Beale at half-backs while Adam Ashley Cooper shifts to the right wing as a result of Pat McCabe’s recent retirement.
Tevita Kuridrani fills the gap at outside centre and Reds hooker James Hanson comes in for Nathan Charles in the only change to the pack.
“While the size of the challenge isn’t any easier this week, the South Africans do play a unique brand of rugby which we will need to adjust to,” head coach Ewen McKenzie said.
“That’s reflected in our selections somewhat, where we feel the partnership of Nick and Bernard will best suit the style of game we’ll be trying to play. They’ve got a proven combination at a Super Rugby level and we look forward to seeing how that translates into the Test environment.
“It’s naturally disappointing for the two guys who missed out on the starting team, in Nic and Kurtley, but the reality is we have a lot of good players in those playmaking positions.
“We expect them to respond in a positive manner and to make an impact playing an important role in how we close out the match.”
“I can look at the [Bledisloe Cup Test in Auckland] … in fact the last two games, there were so many things that we could have done better, [but] that’s a function of pressure. There are so many ways we could have been tidier in our approach and limited their opportunities.
“They scored a bunch of tries from turnovers. There is the turnover itself, but what you do with the turnover ball [is important]. If you can control that, you can force them into set-piece, and they have to win the ball to play it. We can handle those situations much better.”
Meanwhile, Bryan Habana will win his 100th Test cap for the Springboks who made six changes from their narrow win against Argentina last time out.
Morne Steyn and Jan Serfontein come in the back line at fly-half and outside centre respectively while Adriaan Strauss and Tendai Mtawarira bolster the front row.
Veteran Victor Matfield returns in the engine room alongside Eben Etzebeth with Marcell Coetzee the last change in the back row.
“We were always planning in moving our personnel around during the competition,” said head coach Heyneke Meyer.
“Saturday’s Test against Australia will take a massive effort from every member of our squad. We’re not looking at their recent result against New Zealand, and we know they will be a tough opponent.
“Similarly, we need to move on from our victories over Argentina, which are now in the past. This is a new challenge and one we have to overcome to stay alive in the competition.”
“This is an unbelievable achievement by Bryan, who is someone every South African can be immensely proud of. He is a true professional and someone who never gives anything but his best, on the field and off it. For him to reach this magnificent milestone is just reward for years of dedication and hard work.
“Apart from scoring tries and always giving 100% on the field, Bryan is also a humble servant to the game and a true ambassador for his family, his friends and his country. He will go down in history as one of the greatest rugby players of all time.”
Australia: Israel Folau; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, , Matt Toomua, Rob Horne; Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps; James Slipper, James Hanson, Sekope Kepu; Sam Carter, Rob Simmons; Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper (Capt.), Wycliff Palu.
Replacements: Saia Fainga’a, Pek Cowan, Ben Alexander, James Horwill, Scott Higginbotham, Matt Hodgson, Nic White, Kurtley Beale.
South Africa: Willie le Roux; Cornal Hendricks, Jan Serfontein, Jean de Villiers (Capt.), Bryan Habana; Morne Steyn, Ruan Pienaar; Tendai Mtawarira, Adriaan Strauss, Jannie du Plessis; Eben Etzebeth, Victor Matfield; Francois Louw, Marcell Coetzee, Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements: Bismarck du Plessis, Trevor Nyakane, Marcel van der Merwe, Lood de Jager, Warren Whiteley, Francois Hougaard, Pat Lambie, Damian de Allende.