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South African backrower Duane Vermeulen and Faf de Klerk will start in their return from injury against the Wallabies in Sunday's Rugby Championship Test.
Star No.8 Duane Vermeulen will play his first game for South Africa since winning the 2019 Rugby World Cup while halfback Faf de Klerk will also return from injury to face the Wallabies on Sunday.
The Springboks are fresh off a quarantine stint after series wins against the British and Irish Lions and back-to-back Rugby Championship defeats of Argentina.
The Springboks aren't sitting on their hands though, making seven changes to their 15 and 13 in total for the Gold Coast clash, with only flying winger Cheslin Kolbe (leg) the only injury-enforced move.
"We always strive to be better and winning a World Cup is great," towering lock Eben Etzebeth said.
"But great teams, when they're in the moment, they don't think about that.
"In 10 or 20 years we can but that's (Sunday's Test) all the guys are thinking about."
Vermeulen had ankle surgery earlier this year while de Klerk (leg) missed the third Lions Test and both Argentina games.
The No.8 will form a formidable backrow with Franco Mostert and skipper Siya Kolisi.
Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe and giant hooker Bongi Mbonambi make up a new-look front row while a mobile bench has been selected in anticipation of more up-tempo play from Australia.
South Africa are keen to continue their hot streak in their first outing against Australia since being crowned world champions.
"If you look at how Australia played in all the Test matches, they play with some tempo and continuity and awesome skill set in terms of stretching you touchline to touchline," coach Jacques Nienaber said.
"They will also be playing in front of a charged-up home crowd, so it will be good to have these experienced players back as they know what it takes to perform in big matches."
SOUTH AFRICA: Willie le Roux, Sbu Nkosi, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi (c), Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff. Bench: Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Marco van Staden, Kwagga Smith, Jasper Wiese, Herschel Jantjies, Damian Willemse.
