Wallabies coach Michael Cheika says Australia's strongest available side has been picked for this weekend's clash with South Africa with his team needing to "earn everything" in the lead-up to the Rugby World Cup.
Rebels no. 8 Isi Naisarani is the only debutant in the starting side but the XV looks very different to its last outing, with just 10 of the 23 from their 2018 season-ending match against England named to play South Africa.
A host of players are missing from the Wallabies side with injuries including props Scott Sio (adductor), Tom Robertson (ankle) and Allan Alaalatoa (foot), with Waratahs rookie Harry Johnson-Holmes a shock inclusion off the bench.
James Slipper and Nic White both return from long Test absences to start , while Brumbies fullback Tom Banks has been rewarded for a career-best season with the starting fullback spot.
White has won a start over Will Genia, in what will be his first Wallabies appearance since 2015 and Cheika said he had proven his desire since coming into camp.
"He's come back, he's shown a lot of intensity," he said.
"There's obviously competition there - himself, Genia, Powell - Nick Phipps and Jake Gordon are at home.
"I don't think you need much with the competition and he's competed very well and he's definitely earned his spot and to have Willy on the bench, that's going to finish, it's a real plus for us."
Banks' start relegates Kurtley Beale to the bench while Rebels fullback Dane Haylett-Petty will line up on the wing.
South Africa has been in the spotlight for splitting up its squad between its two opening Tests against Australia and New Zealand, with many big names heading to New Zealand early, but Cheika said the Wallabies were picking their strongest side available.
"Our selection team (was) deciding about us really, about what we want to get from this game, some of the decisions were so even we could've chosen one or the other," he said.
"We made some decisions on what we felt, also out of Super Rugby as well - we wanted to reward some players who had some good form in Super Rugby.
"This week we're picking the side that we think is going to go out there and represent Australia to its best ability. We've got to earn everything this year.
"We know are lot of people aren't giving us much of a chance this season but I believe in our players, each and every one of them, the guys who didn't get selected to come over here for the competition. We know that anyone that goes out there in our jersey's going to do whatever it takes to earn what we get this year.
"They've been selected on what we believe is a team that's going to do really well here. We haven'y had the chance to play atr Ellis Park for a while so it's a big occasion, we want to pick a good team for it."
Asked whether he felt South Africa's strategy was a "slap in the face", Cheika was adamant the Springboks would be giving Australia their full respect.
"I don't see it that way at all," he said.
"We know that we're coming from well behind, well back and we've heard their players say they're not taking this game for granted and you take them on their word for that.
"We understand the position we're coming from, we've spoken about it and what we need to do this year to earn respect and earn our right to achieve what we want to achieve, so really for us it's pretty irrelevant."
Naisarani's Test debut comes after a long wait for eligibility, with the Fijian born no. 8 only ticking off his residency in April this year and his performance could be a chance to show an alternative to the Michael Hooper-David Pocock dual openside structure the Wallabies have employed for much of the past four years.
"He's been building nicely now for probably a year and a half," Cheika said.
"He's fitted into the squad nicely, really happy he's going to get a run, he's been training hard, he's been pushing himself and I'm really looking forward to it."
BANKS'FORM COULDN'T BE DENIED IN RACE FOR FULLBACK SPOT
FROM PADDINGTON PUB TO JOHANNESBURG FOR JOHNSON-HOLMES
Samu Kerevi and Tevita Kuridrani will team up in the centres with Kerevi also taking on vice-captain responsibilities for the first time.
Johnson-Holmes is a surprise addition to the bench, after arriving in Johannesburg late on Wednesday local time, less than three days out from the match.
Allan Alaalatoa was ruled out with a foot injury, following the departures of looseheads Scott Sio (adductor) and Tom Robertson (ankle).
Johnson-Holmes only really established himself as a regular Super Rugby player this season with the Waratahs, stepping up in the absence of the injured Robertson.
Robertson and fellow loosehead Sio both left camp earlier this week, along with Christian Lealiifano, due to injury.
There was no room for James O'Connor to force his way into the side after signing a deal with Rugby Australia and the Reds that made him eligible to play Test rugby, with Cheika saying he simply didn't have enough time to push for a spot this weekend.
"He's fitted in very well, I've got to admit, over the last eight or nine days since he's been in," he said.
"It's a little bit soon for this week, but he's certainly competed well for a position and with more time, he'll put himself in a position where he can compete as well.
"He seems like he's enjoying himself, he's certainly been blowing because the training's been hard but he seems like he's enjoying himself. It's the first time I've ever coached him but it's been good."
Hooker Jordan Uelese will play his first Test in nearly two years after battling his way back from a knee reconstruction this season.
The Wallabies take on South Africa at Ellis Park, Johannesburg on Saturday July 20, kicking off at 5:05pm local, Sunday 1:05am AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and Kayo Sports.
TEAM
1. James Slipper (86 Tests)
2. Folau Fainga’a (7 Tests)
3. Sekope Kepu (103 Tests)
4. Izack Rodda (17 Tests)
5. Rory Arnold (19 Tests)
6. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (11 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (c) (91 Tests)
8. Isi Naisarani*
9. Nic White (22 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (68 Tests)
11. Reece Hodge (33 Tests)
12. Samu Kerevi (25 Tests) (vc)
13. Tevita Kuridrani (58 Tests)
14. Dane Haylett-Petty (30 Tests)
15. Tom Banks (3 Tests)
Reserves
16. Jordan Uelese (2 Tests)
17. Harry Johnson-Holmes*
18. Taniela Tupou (11 Tests)
19. Rob Simmons (94 Tests)
20. Jack Dempsey (10 Tests)
21. Will Genia (100 Tests)
22. Matt To’omua (42 Tests)
23. Kurtley Beale (83 Tests)
