Injured trio return

Genia has recovered from a fractured hand picked up in last month's one-point loss to England in Sydney and he returns at the expense of Luke Burgess in the team named by coach Robbie Deans on Tuesday.

Western Force second rower Sharpe (pictured) rejoins the Wallabies pack after a back injury ruled him out of Australia's last outing, a 22-15 victory over Ireland.

"It's really good to have a few of the troops back who have been unavailable to us," Deans said in a news release ahead of Saturday's match against the defending Tri-Nations champions in Brisbane.

The Wallabies also brought back first-choice prop Robinson and switched Adam Ashley-Cooper to fullback to allow James O'Connor to move out to the right wing.

Queensland Reds hooker Saia Faingaa remains in the starting line-up as regular Stephen Moore is named on the replacements bench as he works his way back to full fitness after a two-month absence with a broken jaw.

"Benn has had a little bit more background than Stephen, in terms of having been able to get underway a little bit earlier after his injury, which is why he's ready to start while we are easing Stephen back in off the bench," Deans said.

Saturday's match is Australia's first of this year's tournament and they will look to take advantage of a road-weary South African side who suffered back-to-back defeats in New Zealand.

"The imagery from those games has left our players in no doubt as to the magnitude of the task ahead," Deans said.

"Although the Springboks improved significantly in the time between the tests in Auckland and Wellington, they'll know that they have to lift again and will be determined to do so."

There are nine changes to the Australia 22 who handed the Springboks a 21-6 defeat in Brisbane last year but Deans does not believe retaining a bulk of that side will have any significance on Saturday's outcome.

"It will be about the here and now, as it always is," the New Zealander said.

"The players who were involved on our side from that occasion can take confidence from that experience but it won't be worth any points for us on the scoreboard once this game starts."

15-Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14-James O'Connor, 13-Rob Horne, 12-Matt Giteau, 11-Drew Mitchell, 10-Quade Cooper, 9-Will Genia, 8-Richard Brown, 7-David Pocock, 6-Rocky Elsom (capt), 5-Nathan Sharpe, 4-Dean Mumm, 3-Salesi Ma'afu, 2-Saia Fainga, 1-Benn Robinson.

Replacements: 16-Stephen Moore, 17-James Slipper, 18-Rob Simmons, 19-Matt Hodgson, 20-Luke Burgess, 21-Berrick Barnes, 22- Kurtley Beale.