Sharks lock Alistair Hargreaves has been drafted into the Springboks’ starting XV for Saturday’s Tri-Nations Series Test against Australia in Sydney.

He replaces Johann Muller who underwent further evaluation on his hamstring strain during training. The decision was taken that his injury had not recovered sufficiently for him to take his place in the team.

Hargreaves’ place on the bench is taken by his Sharks teammate Ryan Kankowski.

South Africa

15 Gio Aplon, 14 Bjorn Basson, 13 Juan De Jongh, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Danie Rossouw, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Alistair Hargreaves, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 John Smit (C), 1 Dean Greyling.

Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Ryan Kankowski, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Charl McLeod, 21 Adrian Jacobs, 22 Patrick Lambie.