Queensland Reds back-rower Scott Higginbotham will make his Wallabies starting debut in the Tri Nations rugby Test against the Springboks in Durban on Saturday.

After impressing off the bench in Australia's opening two Tri Nations Tests, Higginbotham has been promoted to replace Ben McCalman at No.8 at Kings Park this weekend.

In the only other change to the side which lost 30-14 to the All Blacks in Auckland last Saturday, veteran lock Nathan Sharpe has replaced young Reds second-rower Rob Simmons, who is being rested as he recovers from a shoulder injury.

Wallabies: Kurtley Beale, James O'Connor, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Scott Higginbotham, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom (capt), James Horwill, Nathan Sharpe, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Sekope Kepu. Res: Saia Faingaa, Salesi Ma'afu, Sitaleki Timani, Radike Samo, Ben McCalman, Luke Burgess, Anthony Faingaa.

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