South African full back Percy Montgomery yesterday paid for his limp performance against New Zealand as the embattled Springboks hinted at a physical approach to Saturday's Tri-Nations encounter with Australia. Montgomery (26), who made his debut against the Lions in 1997, was dropped to the reserves for the first time in his 33-Test career, while Australia have recalled Ben Tune and Matt Cockbain from injury.

After three consecutive Test losses, South Africa are preparing to physically target Australia's World Cup-winning outhalf Stephen Larkham. Larkham's opposite number, Braam van Straaten, hinted that Larkham and half-back partner George Gregan could be in for a rough ride.

"You need to be aggressive in the tackle and rough him up a bit," he said. "In the (Super 12) game against the Auckland Blues, he was roughed up and changed his whole game, he started missing kicks. We'll just rough him up a bit and see what happens."

Montgomery was dropped following last week's loss to New Zealand, when he appeared intimidated by Jonah Lomu. Thinus Delport moves to full back, and will be replaced on the wing by Pieter Roussouw.

Veteran lock Mark Andrews moves into the second row, shifting Andre Venter to flanker in place of the injured Rassie Erasmus.

There are injury concerns over flanker Corne Krige (ribs) and hooker Charle Marais (back), who will have fitness tests later in the week.

"Both Thinus and Percy had good Super 12s but I stuck with Percy because he was the man in possession, but he had an off-day last Saturday," Springbok coach Nick Mallett said.

World Cup pair Tune and Cockbain both come on to the Wallabies' bench in the only changes to the side beaten 39-35 by New Zealand in the Tri Nations classic two weeks ago, with Andrew Walker and Troy Jaques dropped.

Centre Daniel Herbert passed a fitness test on his ribs yesterday, and will take his place in the starting team.

Australia: C Latham; S Mortlock, D Herbert, J Little, J Roff; S Larkham, G Gregan; F Dyson, M Foley, R Harry; J Eales (capt), D Giffin; J Williams, D Wilson, M Connors. Replacements: B Tune, R Kafer, S Cordingley, T Kefu, M Cockbain, G Panoho, J Paul.

South Africa: T Delport; B Paulse, R Fleck, DW Barry, P Roussouw; B Van Straaten, W Swanepoel; C Visagie, C Marais, R Kempson; M Andrews, A Van Den Berg; A Vos (capt), A Venter, C Krige. Replacements: J Smit, O Le Roux, J Labuschagne, W Brosnihan, J Van Der Westhuizen, P Montgomery, C Williams.