Inspired by past greats Willie Ofahengaue and Toutai Kefu, Wycliff Palu is hoping his Wallabies starting debut against South Africa will mark the beginning of a Test career as illustrious as those of his childhood heroes.

Palu was named at No.8 in one of two changes made by coach John Connolly as the Wallabies look to reclaim the Mandella Cup and keep their Tri Nations hopes alive with victory over the Springboks at Telstra Stadium on Saturday night.

The 24-year-old replaced Scott Fava at the back of the scrum after impressing with two dominant performances for Australia A against Fiji last month.

Renowned as Australia's premier lineout thrower and an outstanding scrummager, Tai McIsaac replaces Jeremy Paul at hooker in the only other change to the Wallabies line-up that lost 13-9 to New Zealand in Brisbane last Saturday night.

Considered a one-man wrecking machine, Palu hits the scales at 120kg and Connolly is hoping his huge frame and dynamic running can add a new dimension to the Wallabies.

"He is a huge man and he gives us another strong ball-carrying option," Connolly said.

"He's still developing a number of aspects of his game but has a lot of potential. He's an important part of our philosophy of expanding our base in the lead-up to the World Cup."

Palu's two matches against Fiji were his first at No.8 at elite level but the NSW Waratah said he had no fears about stepping up for the Wallabies after being given simple but ominous instructions from Connolly and forwards coach Michael Foley.

"They've told me that if the scrum does get into any trouble, just pick it up and just pick out one bloke and just run straight at him," Palu said.

"It will be good. It's going to be a very physical game and something I'm looking forward to.

"I'm grateful to get my opportunity now and I've got to play well and hopefully cement my spot."

Of Tongan heritage but born in Sydney, the rugby league convert nominated World Cup winners Ofahengaue and Kefu as his idols growing up.

"I didn't really watch much of Willie O but I watched a fair bit of Kefu and they're two players that I do look up to and I try to model my game around theirs," he said.

Connolly said the Wallabies remained focused on winning the Tri Nations despite falling seven points behind the All Blacks after losing the Bledisloe Cup on Saturday.

"There's still a possibility if results go our way that we can win the Tri Nations," he said.

The winless Springboks have virtually no chance of lifting the trophy and, desperate to regain some credibility, were forced to deny suggestions they would resort to illegal tactics to stop Wallabies playmaker Stephen Larkham, who ran riot in Australia's 49-0 romp of South Africa three weeks ago in Brisbane.

Coach Jake White denied rugged five-eighth Butch James had been drafted into the Springboks line-up to "knock the head off Stephen Larkham".

Larkham said he wasn't fazed after becoming accustomed during his brilliant career to being targeted by opposition teams.

"Butch has had his troubles with that sort of stuff in the past. You'd imagine that he's got to wise up to it, and I'm sure that the referees are going to be looking for it now that it's out there anyway," Larkham said.

"From year to year, they (the Springboks) have certainly targeted individuals throughout certain games. They're defensive philosophy is to get up in your face and really pressure you.

"That's the way they like to pressure sides out of games, through their defence, and if that means niggle then so be it."

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