South Africa on Wednesday overhauled their team for the clash against Australia this weekend, making six changes for a game in which Bryan Habana will reach the 100 Test milestone.
The Springboks survived a scare against Argentina in their last Rugby Championship outing last month, bouncing back from 12 points down to edge the match in Salta 33-31.
The scrums were a particular problem for the two-time world champions and coach Heyneke Meyer made four changes to his pack for Saturday's match, bringing in Marcell Coetzee, veteran Victor Matfield, Adriaan Strauss and Tendai Mtawarira. He also recalled Jan Serfontein and the experienced Morne Steyn to the backline.
As a result, Bismarck du Plessis, Lood de Jager and Damian de Allende shift to the bench, joining Trevor Nyakane, Marcel van der Merwe, Pat Lambie, Francois Hougaard and Warren Whiteley as replacements.
"We were always planning in moving our personnel around during the competition," said Meyer ahead of the match in Perth against a Wallaby side reeling from a 51-20 humiliation by New Zealand. "The only new player in the team is Warren (Whiteley), whom I'm very happy for and excited to see what he can do. He covers all three positions in the loose trio and can make an impact later in the game.
"It's also good to see Pat (Lambie) back in the frame. He's completed his comeback from a long-term injury and will provide necessary bench cover for fly-half and fullback."
With Australia desperate to recover from their flogging by the All Blacks, Meyer said that would pose an even bigger threat than normal.
"Saturday's Test against Australia will take a massive effort from every member of our squad," he said. "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."
South Africa (15-1) – Willie le Roux; Cornal Hendricks, Jan Serfontein, Jean de Villiers (capt), Bryan Habana; Morne Steyn, Ruan Pienaar; Duane Vermeulen, Marcell Coetzee, Francois Louw; Victor Matfield, Eben Etzebeth; Jannie du Plessis, Adriaan Strauss, Tendai Mtawarira Replacements: Bismarck du Plessis, Trevor Nyakane, Marcel van der Merwe, Lood de Jager, Warren Whiteley, Francois Hougaard, Pat Lambie, Damian de Allende
