Preview: Australia vs South Africa
Australia and South Africa have both named their sides for the third Tri Nations game of 2004.
The big changes for the Wallabies is the return of cpatain and halfback George Gregan. Hooker Jeremy Paul starts the game as Brendan Cannon is serving a suspension for punching. Flanker Radike Samo is dropped form the squad in favour of George Smith.
The main change for the Springboks is the return of Gerrie Britz who has been out since breaking his nose while playing against the Pacific Islanders.
The South African side see this as a home game as Perth has a large safa population and the Australia side are away from there tradional support based on the east coast.
Both teams have narrowly lost to New Zealand in the previous two weeks, so the game will likely be close. The bookmakers are giving Australia a slight edge at $1.53 compared to South Africas $2.50. However I think the resurgent Springbok side might just be able to sneak home with a win.
Australia: Chris Latham; Clyde Rathbone, Stirling Mortlock, Matt Giteau, Lote Tuqiri; Stephen Larkham, George Gregan (captain); David Lyons, Phil Waugh, George Smith, Nathan Sharpe, Justin Harrison, Al Baxter, Jeremy Paul, Bill Young.
Replacements: Adam Freier, Matt Dunning, Dan Vickerman, John Roe, Chris Whitaker, Matthew Burke, Wendell Sailor
South Africa: Percy Montgomery; Breyton Paulse, Marius Joubert, De Wet Barry, Jean de Villiers; Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Fourie du Preez; Jacques Cronje, AJ Venter, Schalk Burger, Gerrie Britz, Bakkies Botha, Eddie Andrews, John Smit (captain), Os du Randt
Replacements: Hanyani Shimange, CJ van der Linde, Albert van den Berg, Joe van Niekerk, Bolla Conradie, Gaffie du Toit, Brent Russell