Wallabies ready to test themselves against the best in Springboks clash
CHALLENGE: Australia's Taniela Tupou says the Springboks will offer a reliable indicator of where the Wallaby recovery is at. Pic: Alejandro Pagni/Getty Images
Australia prop Taniela Tupou said the Wallabies were looking forward to testing themselves against the best when they put their five-match unbeaten run on the line against the Springboks on Sunday.
Tupou's assessment of world champions South Africa would be shared by many in the rugby world with the Springboks fresh off beating the All Blacks 3-1 in a test series of rare intensity.
The Wallabies have beaten Italy once, Japan twice and had a win and a draw against Argentina in their last five games but know they will be taking a big step up when they run out against South Africa at Perth Stadium.
"We've been working hard, and we know what's coming," tighthead Tupou said. "We all know that they're the best in the world around set pieces and scrums, so I think it's a good challenge for us to see where we are as a group, so we're looking forward to it.
"I think we're heading in the right direction," he added. "Coming off a few good wins, and if you want to be competitive this time next year at the World Cup, you've got to test yourselves against the best, and that's this weekend."
Tupou will be heading back to his French club Racing 92 next week and miss October's Bledisloe Cup tests against New Zealand, but he is hoping for a return to the test arena in the Nations Championship in November.
"I always put my hands up to represent Australia," he said. "Hopefully, this isn't the last time ... I haven't spoken to (coach) Les (Kiss) about what the future looks like, but I'm hoping I'll see the team in the UK."
The Wallabies look certain to be without Charlie Cale for the rest of the season after the loose forward suffered a shoulder injury in training that will require surgery.
Nick Champion de Crespigny was called up to the squad as a replacement on Tuesday.
South Africa have made 13 changes to their starting XV for the one-off test against Australia in Perth, including a return to flyhalf for double World Cup winner Handre Pollard.
The team will be captained by centre Andre Esterhuizen and also sees a return for scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies.
Esterhuizen, who becomes the 68th Springbok captain, will partner Canan Moodie at centre, with wings Ethan Hooker and Edwill van der Merwe and fullback Aphelele Fassi making up the back three.
Johan Grobbelaar starts at hooker with props Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Zachary Porthen either side.
Eben Etzebeth, who extends his Springbok record number of caps to 147 tests, will be in the second row with Franco Mostert.
Marco van Staden starts at number eight with Paul de Villiers and Elrigh Louw the two flankers.
South Africa beat New Zealand 3-1 in the recent Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series.
"Australia poses a completely different threat to New Zealand in the way they play, so we believe these combinations would be best suited for the challenge that we will face against them," coach Rassie Erasmus said.
Aphelele Fassi, Edwill van der Merwe, Canan Moodie, Andre Esterhuizen (capt), Ethan Hooker, Handre Pollard, Herschel Jantjies,; (8-1): Marco van Staden, Elrigh Louw, Paul de Villiers, Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Zachary Porthen, Johan Grobbelaar, Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
: Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, Wilco Louw, Lood de Jager, Jasper Wiese, Morne van den Berg, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Quan Horn.
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