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The Australia players, meanwhile, are focused only on their opening game against Fiji on Wednesday though the majority of the 31-man squad have rebuffed all questions on playing pool opponents England and Wales, a mantra instilled by Cheika.

Evan George takes a look at the top five of all time.

The changes mean Cheika has selected a completely different halves pairing with Foley to start at fly-half ahead of Quade Cooper, while Phipps will play at scrum-half in Saturday’s match.

The Pumas had an historic win here last October, overcoming a 14-0 deficit to beat Australia 21-17 to claim their first victory ever in the Rugby Championship – it took 18 tests against the three southern hemisphere heavyweights before the milestone was achieved.

Cooper is competing with New South Wales Waratah Bernard Foley for the starting role against the Springboks in Brisbane on Saturday after recovering from a shoulder injury that wiped out a large stretch of his Super Rugby season.

Australia have reunited the halfback partnership of Quade Cooper and Will Genia and recalled backs Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell after long periods of worldwide exile for Saturday’s game.