28 Sep 2012

Beale confirmed at first five for Boks test

12:08 pm on 28 September 2012

Kurtley Beale has been confirmed at first five in the Wallabies starting fifteen for Sunday morning's Rugby Championship test against South Africa in Pretoria.

In the absence of the injured Quade Cooper, Beale will be making his first test start in the number 10 jersey in his 30th test.

Berrick Barnes will start at fullback and do the goal-kicking.

Nathan Sharpe will lead the side in his 110th test, joining the former flanker George Smith as Australia's most capped forwards.

Australia has never won a test in Pretoria's Loftus Versfeld Stadium.