Tri-Nations South Africa v Australia: South Africa face world champions Australia in Cape Town today (2.0, Sky Sports 3) in the first round of the six-match Tri-Nations series with nagging questions hanging over both teams.
The success of England in beating both the All Blacks and Wallabies in Australasia and the Springboks' struggles in clambering to a fraught 2-0 series victory over Scotland have modified normal assumptions.
After their 25-14 defeat to England in Sydney, the Wallabies have been strengthened by the return to fitness of full back Matt Burke and centre Mat Rogers, while outhalf Elton Flatley is back in favour after being dropped for disciplinary reasons for the England match.
The Springboks have made eight changes to the side that snatched victory over Argentina (26-25) with a late penalty.
SOUTH AFRICA: J van der Westhuyzen; S Terblanche, M Joubert, D Barry, T Delport; L Koen, J van der Westhuizen; L Sephaka, D Coetzee, R Bands, B Botha, V Matfield, C Krige (capt), W van Heerden, J Smith. Replacements: D Santon, R Kempson, S Boome, P Wannenburg, C Davidson, G Bobo, B Russell.
AUSTRALIA: M Burke; Wendell Sailor, M Rogers, S Kefu, J Roff; E Flatley, G Gregan (capt); B Young, B Cannon, P Noriega, D Giffin, D Vickerman, D Lyons, P Waugh, T Kefu. Replacements: A Freier, B Darwin, N Sharpe, O Finegan, C Whitaker, S Larkham, L Tuqiri.
