Retired Wallaby Drew Mitchell hopes for minimal change to the side to face South Africa on Saturday but a host of injury concerns may leave Michael Cheika with no other choice.
Australian quartet Israel Folau (ankle), David Pocock (neck), Taniela Tupou (hamstring) and Nick Phipps (ribs) have all been rested at the side’s Gold Coast training base this week.
Cheika’s side to play the Springboks will be named on Thursday, with the fitness of flanker Pocock and fullback Folau in particular a concern.
Folau missed the second Bledisloe Cup loss after rolling his ankle in the series opener, while standout Pocock has struggled with neck stiffness after copping plenty of attention around the ruck against the All Blacks.
Reserve halfback Phipps didn’t train at all on Monday or Tuesday after being pulverised in a tackle during his Sydney University Shute Shield grand final win last Saturday.
Rampaging Queensland forward Tupou is still recovering from a last-minute injury that ruled him out of the first Bledisloe clash.
Critics have called for widespread changes to the Australian set-up ahead of next year’s World Cup but Mitchell has asked for patience.
“They were blown off the park at the back end of both Bledisloes but the margins were pretty small,” he said.
“You rectify those small errors and it’s a hell of a different game.
“And if it wasn’t for one or two moments in the Irish series (they lost 2-1 earlier this year) we would’ve beaten the world No.2 and it wouldn’t look as dire.
“I think it’ll be a pretty similar side; we don’t need too many changes.”
The Springboks are also coming off a loss in Argentina and will present a physical challenge to a side that has questioned its own attitude and application since the pair of losses to New Zealand.
Queensland Reds forwards Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Caleb Timu, plus Brumbies lock Rory Arnold, are all a chance of inclusion after being added to the squad this week.
The Springboks have added uncapped Toulouse livewire Cheslin Kolbe to the squad that was humbled 32-19 in Argentina last month.
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