Straeuli wields the axe

World Cup-winning scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen is the biggest of the six names axed from the South Africa side to face Australia in Brisbane on Saturday.

Springboks coach Rudolf Straeuli has made the changes after South Africa were blitzed by the All Blacks a fortnight ago, but insisted not all the decisions were based on form.

“There are players who have paid the price for an unacceptable performance against the All Blacks and there are players who have been rotated in our effort to establish a squad in which all players are capable of starting in any given Test during the World Cup,” Straeuli said.

Van der Westhuizen has finally succumbed to the pressing claims of rival scrum-half Craig Davidson but the decision to drop Brent Russell to the bench follows a disastrous display against New Zealand.

Russell had turned in a match-winning performance against Australia, but struggled with the weight of expectation firmly on his shoulders, losing his composure in the face of the All Blacks’ charge.

He returns to be an impact player from the bench and Cats fly-half Andre Pretorius takes over at full-back with the hearty support of his coach.

“He is a wonderful attacking player and a very good kicker, which gives us more options in the latter department,” said Straeuli.

Uncapped centre Jorrie Muller comes in to replace the injured Andre Snyman in midfield while versatile prop Robbie Kempson and lock Selborne Boome start for the first time in this year’s Tri-Nations.

Joe van Niekerk will start his first Test of the year after recovering from injury, replacing Wikus van Heerden as openside flanker.

Both sides conceded a half-century of points in their home Tests to New Zealand but the Springboks’ 26-22 victory over Australia in the opening Tri-Nations match of the season has left Australia rooted to the bottom of the table and heaped pressure on Wallabies coach Eddie Jones.

South Africa team to face Australia in Brisbane on Saturday: A Pretorius; S Terblanche, J Muller, DW Barry, A Willemse; L Koen, C Davidson; R Kempson, D Coetzee, R Bands, S Boome, V Matfield, C Krige (captain), J van Niekerk, J Smith.

Replacements: D Santon, L Sephaka, B Botha, W van Heerden, J van der Westhuizen, G Bobo, B Russell.