Stephen Larkham, Edinburgh's newly signed Australian flyhalf, has been ruled out of the Wallabies opening match of the year against Wales after injuring his hamstring.
Larkham is replaced by 23-year-old utility back Sam Norton-Knight, who will make his test debut in a new-look Australia side in Sydney today.
Wales coach Gareth Jenkins, who has left 17 leading players at home to rest, has urged his men to give him a World Cup selection headache by performing at their peak.
Ireland, meanwhile, are determined to contain Argentina fly-half Felipe Contepomi, who is set to captain his country when the teams meet in their first test match at Santa Fe today.
Coach Eddie O'Sullivan has given his starting XV plenty of incentive by revealing half the places in his squad are up for grabs. Nine of those XV have fewer than 10 caps.
The sides will meet again in World Cup combat in September, in the same group as hosts France, Namibia and Georgia and with that tournament so close both sides are expected to play a cagey game tactically.
In South Africa, Saracens prop Kevin Yates is set to line-up for England just two weeks short of 10 years since he last represented his country.
The game will be only Yates's third England outing after he answered a late call to replace Gloucester's Nick Wood. Since his last international appearance he has played Super 12 rugby with Wellington Hurricanes in New Zealand, then joined Sale Sharks before signing for Saracens three years ago.
England's plans for the game continue to be severely affected by injuries and illness, however. Brian Ashton, the head coach, can call on the experience of Johnny Wilkinson, Mark Regan and Jason Robinson, but while the back division looks capable of holding its own, England's forwards can expect a torrid time from a South Africa side who are among the favourites for the World Cup.
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