Aussies and Boks ring the changes

TRI-NATIONS: AUSTRALIA v SOUTH AFRICA
Venue: Subiaco Oval, Perth Date: Saturday, 19 July Kick-off: 1105 BST

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Sharpe is a vital presence in Australia's second row

Australia trio Nathan Sharpe, Lote Tuqiri and Wycliff Palu all return after injury for Saturday's Tri-Nations clash with South Africa.

Dean Mumm, Lachie Turner and Stephen Hoiles all make way, while George Smith returns at open-side for Phil Waugh.

South Africa make four changes from the side that beat New Zealand 30-28 in Dunedin last week.

Pierre Spies, Francois Steyn, Conrad Jantjes and Schalk Brits come into the starting 15 for the match in Perth.

Joe van Niekerk, who played in the two tests against New Zealand, makes way for Spies, Steyn is in for the injured Adrian Jacobs at centre and Jantjes replaces Percy Montgomery at full-back.

Brits was on the bench last week after a late call-up to the squad as cover for the injured John Smit and replaces the banned Bismarck du Plessis.

Uncapped hooker Adriaan Strauss has been named on the bench, while Van Niekerk , Montgomery and reserve loose forward Luke Watson drop out of the 22-man squad.

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For Australia, Waugh drops to the bench, where hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, who only returned to club duty last week, replaces Adam Freier.

"Tatafu offers genuine impact," said Wallabies coach Robbie Deans. "His ability to carry could potentially be invaluable in the latter stages of what I'd expect will be a high-tempo game."

Lock Dan Vickerman was not deemed ready to return yet after ankle surgery, so James Horwill retains his place alongside Sharpe.

But Deans is confident Sharpe, Tuqiri and Palu have all recovered sufficiently to take on the Springboks, who ended New Zealand's five-year, 30-match unbeaten home record last Saturday.

"They're all looking good and ready to go again," Deans added.

"We needed to be absolutely certain that they were right, because the South Africans are going to be the most physical opponent we have played so far.

"By allowing them all time, we're happy that they are at the level, both physically and mentally, that they need to be to play."

Smith, meanwhile, will become Australia's most capped forward, and the third most-capped Wallaby of all time after George Gregan and David Campese, when he earns his 87th cap at the Subiaco Oval.

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Australia team: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Hynes, Stirling Mortlock (capt), Berrick Barnes, Lote Tuqiri; Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess; Benn Robinson, Stephen Moore, Al Baxter, James Horwill, Nathan Sharpe, Rocky Elsom, George Smith, Wycliff Palu.
Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Matt Dunning, Hugh McMeniman, Phil Waugh, Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, Drew Mitchell.

South Africa team: Conrad Jantjes, JP Pietersen, Francois Steyn, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Ricky Januarie, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield (captain), Bakkies Botha, CJ van der Linde, Schalk Brits, Gurthro Steenkamp
Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Tendai Mtawarira, Brian Mujati, Andries Bekker, Ryan Kankowski, Ruan Pienaar, Peter Grant.