De Villiers wary of Australia

2008-07-18 10:31

Perth - South Africa coach Peter de Villiers says his side will be wary of an Australian team with a point to prove after last year's disappointing quarter-final exit at the Rugby World Cup.

"We respect them, we know that they are going to be very tough," de Villiers said on Friday of Saturday's Tri-Nations match at Subiaco Oval.

"Everybody focuses on New Zealand falling out of the World Cup. Australia did, too, and they've also got a point to prove."

Australia lost to England at the World Cup quarter-finals, just hours ahead of New Zealand's surprise defeat by France.

South Africa and New Zealand split their first two matches of this year's Tri-Nations, while Australia plays its first match on Saturday in the annual series.

Test regulars Lote Tuqiri, Wycliff Palu and Nathan Sharpe returned to the Wallabies starting lineup for the match. All three players missed Australia's last start, a 40-10 win two weeks ago over France in Brisbane.

'Lineup changes'

Tuqiri has recovered from a knee injury, Palu a shoulder complaint and Sharpe a groin injury in time for Saturday's match.

South Africa, coming off a famous 30-28 win over the All Blacks in New Zealand last weekend, recalled No. 8 Pierre Spies and center Francois Steyn among four lineup changes.

Spies was recalled ahead of Joe van Niekerk, who played in both New Zealand matches, while Steyn returns in place of the injured Adrian Jacobs.

Conrad Jantjes replaced veteran Percy Montgomery at fullback and Schalk Brits was named at hooker to replace the suspended Bismarck du Plessis, making him the third player in three Tests in the Springboks No. 2 jersey.

Regular skipper and hooker John Smit sustained a series-ending injury in the first match.

Lineups:

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

South Africa: 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. Reserves: Adriaan Strauss, Tendai Mtawarira, Brian Mujati, Andries Bekker, Ryan Kankowski, Ruan Pienaar, Peter Grant.

- AP