The Castle Rugby ChampionshipToday S Africa vs Australia 16:00 SS1SundayArgentina vs NewZealand 00:45 SS1JOHANNESBURG - Kurtley Beale will start his first test at flyhalf on Saturday after Australia coach Robbie Deans chose the fullback to replace the injured Quade Cooper for the Rugby Championship clash with South Africa.Cooper is out injured with a knee problem and Beale will step into the playmaker role in his 30th test. Cooper has also been contacted by the Australia Rugby Union after a series of negative Tweets about team morale .“The (jersey) number might be new but his role within the game won’t be,” Deans said of Beale in a statement.“Although his season hasn’t been without challenge, Kurtley stepped up with his involvements on the Gold Coast, making a difference when he was on the field.Berrick Barnes will start at fullback and assume the kicking duties, Deans said. Lock Nathan Sharpe, in his 110th test, continues to captain a side hit hard by injuries.Sharpe will join former openside flanker George Smith as Australia’s most capped forward, and a personal milestone awaits front-rower Benn Robinson, who will be playing his 50th test.Second rower Kane Douglas has retained his place but Sitaleki Timani’s return from a hamstring strain will have to wait after medical staff judged he was not fit enough.Australia beat the Springboks 26-19 earlier this month in Perth but Deans warned against complacency, especially at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria where they have never won.
