White makes three changes to Springboks

Springboks coach Jake White has made three changes to his winning side for Saturday's Tri-Nations rugby opener against the Wallabies in Pretoria.

Experienced halfback Fourie du Preez returns to the starting 15 on his home ground, as does powerful No 8 Jacques Cronje, while tighthead prop CJ van der Linde returns in place of Eddie Andrews.

Du Preez will wear the No 9 jersey in place of Enrico Januarie while Cronje replaces Joe van Niekerk, who moves to the No 6 jersey vacated by Solly Tyibilika.

White, who guided the Springboks to a 33-20 win in the Mandela Challenge test in Johannesburg last weekend, expected Australia to launch a determined challenge after their defeat.

"This is the start of a new competition and I know the Aussies will be out to prove that they can play much better than last week," White was quoted as saying on South Africa's Super Rugby website.

"They are an experienced side with a strong believe and will definitely bounce back, so we will have to show the same commitment and composure."

Springboks: Percy Montgomery, Breyton Paulse, Jaque Fourie, Jean De Villiers, Bryan Habana, Andre Pretorius, Fourie du Preez, Jacques Cronje, Juan Smith, Joe van Niekerk, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, CJ van der Linde, John Smit (captain), Gurthro Steenkamp. Reserves: Gary Botha, Lawrence Sephaka/Eddie Andrews, Albert van den Berg, Schalk Burger, Ricky Januarie, Wayne Julies, Jaco van der Westhuyzen.

- NZPA