Pienaar has been given the task of trying to ignite the Springboks, who looked off the pace in their pair of losses in New Zealand and have named a more mobile side, including the Sharks Ryan Kankowski at seven and Pierre Spies from the Bulls at number eight. Too be fair there was a marked difference when he did come on the field and replaced a slow out of condition Ricky Januarie.

With regular starter Fourie Du Preez out with a longterm injury, Pienaar has the opportunity to temporarily nail down the position at the base of the scrum. But he's more worried about his opposite number Genia, who returns to the Wallaby line-up from a broken hand, with deputy Luke Burgess moving to the bench.

He considers Genia the best number nine in the southern hemisphere and has vowed to be on guard for his darting runs in traffic and his outstanding chemistry with Reds teammate Cooper.

"When I've played against him, for me he was by miles the best nine in the Super 14. I thought he was outstanding together with Quade Cooper. It's a big challenge for not only myself but the whole team to keep an eye on him," Pienaar said.

The Springbok selectors are obviously convinced that  Suncorp Stadium is a "fast" venue, a partly truthful dogma which may also have been followed by Springbok selectors given the side they have picked, which also includes small but speedy Stormers winger Geo Aplon. There's no doubt it's a classy surface but the visitors may be confusing Queensland's attacking styles in the Super 14 with those of the Wallabies. Genia and Cooper are pivotal to both units but outside of that pairing, they are vastly different beasts playing vastly different opposition.

Cooper's outstanding year has been even better against South African sides, most of which flood his defensive channel with mammoth forwards in the hope of leaving him exhausted with ball in hand.

It hasn't worked up until this point and Cooper doesn't believe it will on Saturday night, welcoming any thundering traffic the 'Boks want to send his way.

"I think both the South African and New Zealand sides are similar – they tend to run down the 10 channel. But I guess that's any team's focus, to try to tire out the number 10s and run down that channel. South African packs are bigger than most so I think they'll be running down that channel again," Cooper said.

"It's something I enjoy. It's part of the game and something you have to get used to. You have to get your head right and just play footy."

Cooper has been a revelation for his state and country this year but Saturday night represents his first start in a Tri Nations Test. A dominating display in the world's most arduous tournament will only send his star further into the skies but to the 22-year-old, the pressure is all part of the fun.

"I think it's going to be a good test but at the same time, every Test has something you look forward to. In the domestic season, I was just excited to be out there and given the opportunity. Now I've been given another one," Cooper said.

"It's about where I go from here. I'll keep working hard and bringing that excitement to every game."

There was more good selection news from a Queensland perspective, with Saia Faingaa retaining the hooking role over Stephen Moore and young lock Rob Simmons in line to make his Test debut from the bench.

"He was involved with us in June with the Baa-Baas, so he's got some background with us, he understands what it's all about," said Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

"He has everything that's required to perform at this level and he'll be pretty excited about the opportunity to perform here (Brisbane), in particular."

Wallabies Adam Ashley Cooper, James O'Connor, Rob Horne, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Richard Brown, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom (capt), Nathan Sharpe, Dean Mumm, Salesi Ma'afu, Saia Fainga, Benn Robinson. Res: Stephen Moore, James Slipper, Rob Simmons, Matt Hodgson, Luke Burgess, Berrick Barnes, Kurtley Beale.

Springboks Zane Kirchner, Gio Aplon, Jaque Fourie, Wynand Oliver, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Ruan Pienaar, Pierre Spies, Ryan Kankowski, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Danie Rossouw, BJ Botha, John Smit (capt), Gurthro Steenkamp. Res: Chiliboy Ralepelle, CJ van der Linde, Flip van der Merwe, Dewald Potgieter, Francois Hougaard, Butch James, Juan de Jongh.