Australia have recalled fly-half Quade Cooper for a Tri-Nations championship clash with South Africa at Loftus Versfeld here Saturday.
A suspension ruled the Queensland Reds star out of the 10-20 loss to New Zealand in Christchurch last month and Matt Giteau took over the pivotal role with Anthony Faingaa promoted to inside centre.
The return of Cooper means Giteau will wear the No 12 jersey and Faingaa, whose twin brother Saia starts at hooker, will be among seven replacements named by coach Robbie Deans.
There are three changes to the Christchurch bench with Anthony Faingaa and forwards Scott Higginbotham and Ben McCalman replacing injured pair Cameron Shepherd and Matt Hodgson and Rob Simmons.
Australia walloped reigning world champions South Africa 30-13 when they met in Brisbane during July and they also clash on September 4 at Free State Stadium in central city Bloemfontein.
A Wallaby victory on the Highveld -- where they have not won for 47 years -- would clinch second place behind runaway champions New Zealand, who have topped the table in 10 of 15 southern hemisphere championships.
Team (15-1)
Kurtley Beale; James O'Connor, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell; Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Richard Brown, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom (capt); Nathan Sharpe, Dean Mumm; Salesi Ma'afu, Saia Faingaa, Benn Robinson
Replacements: Stephen Moore, James Slipper, Ben McCalman, Scott Higginbotham, Luke Burgess, Berrick Barnes, Anthony Faingaa
Copyright 2010 AFP Global Edition
