RUGBY:THE Tri-Nations begins in Sydney on Saturday as a notably stronger Australian side face a seriously under-strength Springboks.
Five of the Wallabies’ world-class stars – Quade Cooper (right), James O’Connor, Will Genia, Kurtley Beale and openside flanker David Pocock – return as they seek to atone for the 32-23 defeat to Samoa last week.
This is closer to the starting XV Ireland will face at Eden Park on September 17th.
The Queensland Reds locking duo of James Horwill and Rob Simmons come in, while the same frontrow, a perceived weakness, of Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore and Sekope Kepu is retained.
South African coach Peter de Villiers named a team that is expected to be completely overhauled by the World Cup. Outhalf Morne Steyn is the only established regular and he is under pressure from Patrick Lambie.
Ulster cannot be too happy either with new signing Ben Afoa still in the All Blacks camp, while Johann Muller and Ruan Pienaar start for the Springboks.
SOUTH AFRICA: G Aplon; B Basson, J De Jongh, W Oliver, L Mvovo; M Steyn, R Pienaar; W Kruger, J Smit (capt), D Greyling; F Van Der Merwe, J Muller; D Rossouw, D Stegmann, A Johnson.
AUSTRALIA: K Beale; J O'Connor, A Ashley-Cooper, P McCabe, D Ioane; Q Cooper, W Genia; S Kepu, S Moore, B Alexander; R Simmons, J Horwill; R Elsom (capt), D Pocock, B McCalum.
