Wallabies coach Les Kiss has had a change of tune on one of the longest running debates in Australian rugby, after selecting Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on the wing to face the Springboks in Perth on Sunday night.
News of Suaalii's switch was reported earlier this week, but Kiss finally made it official on Friday afternoon as he made four changes from the team that drew 28-all with Argentina three weeks ago.
Suaalii had previously played all but one of his 24 Tests at outside centre, with his lone appearance on the bench in Australia's 27-21 win over Argentina seeing him spend time on the wing.
But the former NRL star has been shifted from his customary No. 13 jersey to the left wing from the outset for the Optus Stadium clash, after Filipo Daugunu had an unhappy night under the high ball in Mendoza. South Africa are expected to pepper the Australian back three in the air, a tactic that brought success against the All Blacks in their series win.
Suaalii's move has meanwhile allowed Kiss to select a midfield partnership of Hunter Paisami and Len Ikitau, with the reigning John Eales Medallist returning to the position in which he first burst onto the Test scene.
Ben Donaldson has meanwhile retained the No. 10 jersey from Mendoza, where Carter Gordon was injured after coming on as a replacement. Donaldson again combines with the in-form Ryan Lonergan, while Max Jorgensen and Tom Wright complete the back three alongside Suaalii.
Up front, Kiss has brought in Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Allan Alaalatoa to play alongside loosehead Angus Bell, while Josh Canham and Jeremy Williams again combine in the second row. The Wallabies will take the same back-row trio from Mendoza of Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight and skipper Harry Wilson into Sunday's Test.
"We've had a solid preparation window here in Perth ahead of what's going to be a massive Test against South Africa," Kiss said.
"Playing against the number one team in the world focuses the mind and we have worked hard on key areas to meet this challenge and continue to grow our game."
Kiss has meanwhile opted for a 6-2 bench split in a bid to combat the Springboks' famed "Bomb Squad" which on Sunday will include regular starters Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, Wilco Louw, Eben Etzebeth and Jasper Wiese.
The two sides split their two Rugby Championship Tests from 20225 one apiece, while the world champions come into Sunday's match on the back of a 3-1 series defeat of the All Blacks.
Wallabies team to face Springboks
Tom Wright, Max Jorgensen, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Ben Donaldson, Ryan Lonergan; Harry Wilson [c], Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Josh Canham, Allan Alaalatoa, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Bell. Replacements: Billy Pollard, Aidan Ross, Taniela Tupou, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Tom Hooper, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Harry Potter.