Robbie Deans has made three changes to Australia's squad for their Tri Nations clash with South Africa on Sunday.

The Wallabies coach has named hooker Stephen Moore, number eight Ben McCalman and lock Mark Chisholm in the starting XV, relegating Dean Mumm, Saia Faingaa and Richard Brown to the bench.

Loose forward Scott Higginbotham has been dropped from the 22-man squad altogether.

Deans has flagged his intent to attack the Springboks after the Wallabies' 44-31 loss to South Africa in Pretoria last weekend, rewarding McCalman for his hard-running efforts off the bench.

Moore's promotion in place of Faingaa comes as no surprise given the latter's erratic lineout throwing late in the game at Pretoria, while Mumm has also paid the price for several ineffective displays.

"You could say we are looking for a combination of physicality, bulk and energy and the changes we have made address those issues," Deans said.

"McCalman has done really well off the bench and he will bring a real physical presence. Mark Chisholm has a big frame and we want him to use it at the set-piece. We believe that we will be better for the added weight in the scrums."

Recent history suggests the Wallabies will struggle to take their revenge against the Springboks at Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Australia have only won twice at altitude in South Africa, with the last victory coming in Johannesburg in 1963.

Team: K Beale, J O'Connor, A Ashley-Cooper, M Giteau, D Mitchell, Q Cooper, W Genia, B McCalman, D Pocock, R Elsom, N Sharpe, M Chisholm, S Ma'afu, S Moore, B Robinson.