Australia make two changes for South Africa

Australia head coach Michael Cheika has named a Wallabies team with two changes for Saturday’s Rugby Championship match against South Africa at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

Cheika has named Melbourne Rebels back Reece Hodge to start on the wing in his first start for the Wallabies having come off the replacements bench in Wellington two weeks ago.

Hodge comes in to the side to replace veteran Wallaby Adam Ashley-Cooper who has been forced to return to France and his club side Bordeaux.

In the only other change, Dean Mumm will start at blindside flanker in his 49th Test and partner David Pocock and Michael Hooper in the backrow.

Mumm had two strong performances off the bench to open his Rugby Championship campaign, with the lineout general securing plenty of possession at set-piece time.

Cheika has named an extended bench with one to be omitted following the final training run at Ballymore Stadium on Friday.

If selected, Melbourne Rebels backrower Lopeti Timani is in line to become Wallaby 898 and the eighth Wallabies debutant in 2016.

Following two strong performances in the National Rugby Championship for UC Vikings, lock Rory Arnold is set to return to the Wallabies fold after overcoming an elbow injury.

It could also be a return for winger Drew Mitchell, who has battled a groin injury and hasn’t featured for the Wallabies since the 2015 Rugby World Cup final.

Australia

1. Scott Sio, 2. Stephen Moore (c),3. Sekope Kepu ,4. Kane Douglas,5. Adam Coleman ,6. Dean Mumm ,7. Michael Hooper,8. David Pocock ,9. Will Genia ,10. Quade Cooper ,11. Reece Hodge ,12. Bernard Foley ,13. Samu Kerevi,14. Dane Haylett-Petty ,15. Israel Folau ,

Replacements:Tatafu Polota-Nau ,James Slipper ,Allan Alaalatoa ,Rory Arnold ,Lopeti Timani*Sean McMahon ,Nick Phipps (44 Tests)Tevita Kuridrani (36 Tests)Drew Mitchell (70 Tests)

*denotes uncapped player
**One to be omitted