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South Africa vs Australia
Date: 29 August 2009, Saturday
Time: 10:05 GMT, 06:05 EDT, 2o:05 AEST
Venue: Oval Stadium, Perth
Springboks coach Peter de Villiers has made two changes to his side ahead of Saturday's Tri-Nations clash with Australia in Perth.
South Africa are currently leading the race for the southern hemisphere crown after two victories over New Zealand and another over the Wallabies and victory over the hosts at the Subiaco Oval will see them close in on what would be their third Tri-Nations title.
Ruan Pienaar will start at fullback ahead of Frans Steyn in the only change to the starting side that accounted for the Wallabies in Cape Town on August 8 with Steyn dropping to the bench. In a second change, flank Schalk Burger returns to the bench in place of Danie Rossouw, who is recovering from injury.
Australia are refusing to concede defeat in this year's Tri-Nations despite suffering their third straight defeat in the battle for southern hemisphere supremacy.
Robbie Deans' side are languishing at the bottom of the Tri-Nations table having lost once to leaders South Africa and suffered two defeats at the hands of Tasman rivals New Zealand - the latest of which came in agonising fashion in Sydney last weekend.
But the Wallabies are not willing to throw in the towel ahead of back-to-back clashes with the Springboks that will go a long way to deciding this year's title. The Australians have shown an ability to play attractive rugby that results in points at times over the first three Tests, but the problems have come by not seeing out the full 80 minutes.
South Africa: Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie , Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Morné Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Heinrich Brüssow, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, John Smit (captain), Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Jannie du Plessis, Andries Bekker, Schalk Burger, Ricky Januarie, Adi Jacobs, Frans Steyn
Australia: James O'Connor (Western Force), Lachie Turner (NSW Waratahs), Ryan Cross (Western Force), Adam Ashley Cooper (Brumbies), Peter Hynes (Queensland Reds), Matt Giteau (Western Force), Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs), Richard Brown (Western Force), George Smith (Brumbies, captain), Rocky Elsom (Brumbies), Mark Chisholm (Brumbies), James Horwill (Queensland Reds), Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Stephen Moore (Brumbies), Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs)
Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs), Al Baxter (NSW Waratahs), Dean Mumm (NSW Waratahs), David Pocock (Western Force), Will Genia (Queensland Reds), Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds), Drew Mitchell (Western Force)
