CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) Captain James Horwill returned from injury and center Tevita Kuridrani was handed his first start as the Wallabies looked to beef up their physical presence for a Rugby Championship test against South Africa that few people give the visitors a chance in.
Second-rower Horwill and muscular midfielder Kuridrani were among six changes to the Australian 23 following a 14-13 win over Argentina two weeks ago, new coach Ewen McKenzie's first victory.
Half the changes were in the backline, where ACT Brumbies outside center Kuridrani was in the starting 15 for the first time and there was a new wing combination of Joe Tomane and Adam Ashley-Cooper. They replaced James O'Connor, who was dropped for the tour for disciplinary reasons, and the injured Nick Cummins.
Up front, Horwill boosted a pack that struggled at times with the physicality of the Argentines and will be sternly tested by South Africa's big, bullying forwards at Newlands on Saturday. Experienced prop Benn Robinson returned on the bench and Kuridrani's promotion made way among the reserves for 19-year-old backline player Chris Feauai-Sautia. Scrumhalf Nic White also retained his starting place, with former skipper Will Genia again relegated to the bench.
Horwill's recall and the selection of a bigger, stronger backline were the most telling changes for the underdog Wallabies, who identified their struggles up front and at the collision as pressing problems this season from their three straight defeats to start the McKenzie era and the southern hemisphere championship.