Arabic version: والابيز يستعد لاختبار كبير أمام سبرينغبوكس في بيرث

According to The Guardian, the Wallabies will face South Africa in Perth on Sunday in a match that comes a year before the home World Cup begins at the same venue. It will also be Les Kiss’s first match as Wallabies coach against one of rugby’s traditional powers.

Kiss has moved Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to the wing for his first start there, partly in preparation for South Africa’s expected aerial and physical pressure. The 23-year-old has made 24 Wallabies appearances and may return to the midfield when reserve winger Harry Potter enters the match.

Len Ikitau will start at No 13, with Hunter Paisami’s versatility and form also helping enable Suaalii’s positional switch. Kiss said Suaalii was positive when informed of the move and remains an option in the centres.

The Australia coach has also selected six forwards on the bench, rather than a traditional five-three forwards-to-backs split. The choice is intended to counter a Springboks finishing group that includes the front row which started the final two Tests against New Zealand.

South Africa have made 13 changes from the team that beat New Zealand 43-28 in Baltimore two weeks earlier to secure their series 3-1. Eben Etzebeth and Ethan Hooker are the only players retained in the starting XV, while Handrè Pollard returns at flyhalf and André Esterhuizen will captain the Springboks for the first time.