The Wallabies Rugby Championship campaign resumes in Cape Town this weekend against the Springboks with the visitors out to claim victory at Newlands for the first time in 22 years.
Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie has made three changes to the starting side that defeated Argentina on the Gold Coast two weeks ago. With the hookers injury curse claiming Tatafu Polota-Nau, Reds hooker Saia Fainga’a makes his first starting appearance in the gold jersey since 2010.
Also returning to the starting side are both wingers Adam Ashley-Cooper and Joe Tomane. Ashley-Cooper is back for his 98th Test after suffering a nerve injury in the corresponding fixture in Perth. Tomane takes his place after cheekbone and hamstring injuries have left him out of the national side in 2014. Tomane’s inclusion means that Rob Horne will drop to the bench.
Also on the bench, Waratahs prop Benn Robinson returns to matchday 23 for the first time since the Wales Test on the 2013 Spring tour but had been part of the training squad in the lead up to the recent Pumas Test.
If the Wallabies can claim victory, they will climb to second in the IRB rankings.
1. James Slipper
2. Saia Fainga’a
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Sam Carter
5. Rob Simmons
6. Scott Fardy
7. Michael Hooper (c)
8. Ben McCalman
9. Nick Phipps
10. Bernard Foley
11. Joe Tomane
12. Matt Toomua
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper
15. Israel Folau
Reserves:
16. James Hanson
17. Benn Robinson
18. Ben Alexander
19. James Horwill
20. Scott Higginbotham
21. Nic White
22. Kurtley Beale
23. Rob Horne
