Manie Libbok has been named at flyhalf and captain Siya Kolisi at number eight for the first time as South Africa selected a side that is likely to play with ball in hand for their Rugby Championship opener against Australia at Ellis Park on Saturday.

The world champion Springboks are seeking a fifth successive win against the Wallabies as they also seek to retain their southern hemisphere crown won last year.

Scrumhalf Grant Williams is alongside Libbok, with battering ram Andre Esterhuizen at inside centre and Jesse Kriel in the number 13 jersey.

The back three includes fullback Aphelele Fassi, with Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe on the wing.

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