Deans makes three changes for Boks showdown

Australia have made three changes to their team to take on South Africa in the Tri Nations at Bloemfontein on Saturday with Stephen Moore, Mark Chisholm and Ben McCalman drafted in.

As expected, Nathan Sharpe has overcome an ankle problem to take his place in the line-up, but Scott Higginbotham, who hurt his back during the warm-up ahead of last week’s 44-31 defeat to the world champions, misses out.

Hooker Saia Faingaa, lock Dean Mumm and flanker Richard Brown all drop to the bench allowing for the changes by coach Robbie Deans.

Neither side has a chance of winning the title, already clinched by New Zealand 10 days ago.

Australia team to play South Africa in Bloemfontein on Saturday, September 4:

K Beale (NSW Waratahs); J O’Connor (Western Force), A Ashley-Cooper (Brumbies), M Giteau (Brumbies), D Mitchell (NSW Waratahs); Q Cooper (Queensland Reds), W Genia (Queensland Reds); B Robinson (NSW Waratahs), S Moore (Brumbies), S Ma’afu (Brumbies), M Chisholm (Brumbies), N Sharpe (Western Force), R Elsom (Brumbies) D Pocock (Western Force), B McCalman (Western Force).

Replacements: S Faingaa (Queensland Reds), J Slipper (Queensland Reds), D Mumm (NSW Waratahs), R Brown (Western Force), L Burgess (NSW Waratahs), B Barnes (NSW Waratahs), A Faingaa (Queensland Reds).