Australia v South Africa: Wallabies boosted by James Horwill return

wallabies skipper James Horwill

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Australia coach Ewen McKenzie has made three changes to his starting XV for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash with South Africa, including the recall of skipper James Horwill to the side.

The Wallabies have been without their talismanic captain since before the corresponding fixture between the two nations earlier this month.

Lock Horwill picked up a hamstring injury ahead of that game but is now back in the team at the expense of Kane Douglas.

Elsewhere, McKenzie has handed Brumbies centre Tevita Kuridrani his first start and he comes into the team in place of the suspended James O’Connor.

Kuridrani’s inclusion at outside centre means Adam Ashley-Cooper has been pushed out wide to play on the right wing. The other change sees Joe Tomane coming in on the left wing in place of the injured Nick Cummins.

Australia, who recorded their first win of this year’s Rugby Championship against Argentina last time out, will be looking for revenge in Cape Town after being humbled 38-12 by South Africa on home soil at the start of September.

The Springboks will be looking to bounce back from their hard-fought loss to New Zealand in Auckland which all but assured the All Blacks will win the southern hemisphere event.

South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer has made two changes to his team for the game with the Wallabies, recalling Fourie du Preez at scrum-half in place of Ruan Pienaar.

The other change sees hooker Adriaan Strauss replace Bismarck du Plessis who is on the bench after having his red card from the game against New Zealand rescinded.

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