Brumbies coach Jake White has made five changes to his starting line-up for Saturday's clash with the Sharks in Durban.
21-year-old prop Scott Sio makes his first career start at loose-head prop, with George Smith (open-side flanker), Fotu Auelua (number eight), Tevita Kuridrani (outside centre) and Joe Tomane (wing) all moving into the starting 15.
With Sio at loose-head, Ben Alexander slides across the scum to tight-head where he is usually seen playing for the Wallabies.
Coincidentally, Sio made his Super Rugby debut off the bench against the Sharks in 2012 and will now make his run-on debut in the same fixture a year later.
Captain Ben Mowen switches from the back of the scrum to blind-side flanker and Peter Kimlin to lock, while Scott Fardy and Clyde Rathbone drop to the bench.
Ruaidhri Murphy makes his first appearance on the bench since round one, while Andrew Smith and Dan Palmer drop out of the match-day 22.
With David Pocock set to miss the rest of the Super Rugby season, former Australian U20 skipper Colby Faingaa will also feature on the Brumbies bench in place of 129-game veteran, Smith. Despite being just 21 this is Faingaa's third tour of South Africa.
White believes the 2012 runners-up pose a huge test for his side.
"Traditionally this has been one of the Brumbies biggest games of the season," he said.
"To come away from Durban with four points is a huge challenge but one the team feels comfortable with.
"Scotty Sio has been working hard on his set-piece and fitness and it's nice to be able to hand him his first starting jersey.
"Likewise Tevita, Joe and Fotu are proven Super Rugby players and I'm looking forward to seeing those guys in full flight on Saturday.
"It's nice to be back in Durban, I've always enjoyed my time here and hopefully things stay like that after Saturday night."
Brumbies 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Nic White, 8 Fotu Auelua, 7 George Smith, 6 Ben Mowen (c), 5 Sam Carter, 4 Peter Kimlin, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Siliva Siliva, 17 Ruaidhri Murphy, 18 Scott Fardy, 19 Colby Faingaa, 20 Ian Prior, 21 Robbie Coleman, 22 Clyde Rathbone.
Date: Saturday, March 16
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Quinton Immelman (South Africa), Reuben Rossouw (South Africa)
TMO: Deon van Blommestein (South Africa)
Comments
Jivinjeff says...
That's a much weaker scrum, unless Scott Sio is a scrummaging wunderkind. And even then... I wonder if Robbie Deans had a word in White's ear and asked for Alexander to be given a consistent run at tighthead leading up to the Lion's tour?
Posted 04:17 15th March 2013
rugby_lord says...
Agreed with kiwilad, this was Brumbies best chance to topple an SA team. Its truly is a shame.
Posted 04:09 15th March 2013
rugby_lord says...
This team will not beat the Sharks. Looks like Jake has thrown in the towel. On form, Stormers will be even a greater challenge. They are not taking any prisoners these days.
Posted 04:08 15th March 2013
runnrugby says...
Not sure about all the changes. Brumbies have to play the Stormers next week and then have to travel back home to play the Bulls the week after
Posted 01:47 15th March 2013
JayStarr says...
Mark my words: Jake White will continue to make household names out of no-names, the majority of the Brumbies will become Wallabies, Jake White will become the Wallaby coach, and when he does, they will win the World Cup again.
Posted 22:09 14th March 2013
kiwilad says...
Bit of a shame, I had thought the Brumbies were a good chance in this game...
Posted 16:32 14th March 2013
Trinats2 says...
Brumbies in a great position that they can rest a heap of players, as it is only the Sharks.
Or Jake white knows what kaplan (who is from Durban !!!) is like and gives up, and rests 5 players anyway !!!
Posted 11:44 14th March 2013