South Africa vice-captain Adriaan Strauss has "no doubt" 20-year-old Johan Goosen will succeed in his first Test start.
Goosen has been selected by Springboks head coach Heyneke Meyer to start at fly-half in Saturday's Rugby Championship clash against Australia ahead of regular number 10 Morne Steyn.
Strauss, who is Goosen's club captain at the Cheetahs, is supremely confident the youngster will be unaffected by the pressure of his first start at international level.
"I've told him before he handles pressure better than any other player I've met," Strauss said.
"So I have no doubt he is the kind of player who can handle it.
"Sometimes it looks like he doesn't feel the pressures at all.
"He will probably have some nerves but he won't allow it to get the better of him.
"You see the best of Johan under pressure."
Steyn has copped plenty of criticism during his team's opening four matches of the Rugby Championship.
Meyer has claimed the 28-year-old needs a break and believes the Springboks will lose very little with Goosen in the team, while Elton Jantjies will be on the bench to provide cover at fly-half.
"Morne, in the last four seasons, has played close to 140 matches at Test, Super Rugby and Currie Cup level and probably deserves a break," Meyer said.
"But this also provides a great opportunity for Johan, a player I rate very highly.
"Morne is a quality player and a fighter and I know he will bounce back."
South Africa have drawn one game and lost twice since their opening round victory over Argentina in this year's Rugby Championship but the Springboks can move into second spot on the table if they defeat the Wallabies and Strauss does not believe they are under pressure.
"We'd rather look at it as a challenge and hopefully we can get the result," Strauss said.
Australia coach Robbie Deans has backed Kurtley Beale to shine in the number 10 shirt against South Africa.
Beale will enjoy his first stint at fly-half in what will be his 30th Test for Australia, playing alongside Melbourne Rebels team-mate Nick Phipps in the Rugby Championship encounter.
Beale comes into the side for the injured Quade Cooper, the only change made to the starting line-up, and Deans was confident it will have a positive effect.
"The (jersey) number might be new but his role within the game won't be," Deans said. "Although his season hasn't been without challenge, Kurtley stepped up with his involvements on the Gold Coast (in their win over Argentina), making a difference when he was on the field.
"He's brought that enthusiasm forward with him since we've been in South Africa, has worked hard on the training track, and is excited about the opportunity ahead. He has good memories from some of his experiences over here."
Nathan Sharpe will run out for his 110th Test match and fourth as skipper, with his overall tally taking him to equal-second in overall Wallabies appearances with former openside flanker George Smith.
The pair still trail former half-back George Gregan's tally of 139 caps.
Front-rower Benn Robinson also brings up a milestone, set to appear in his 50th international Test.
Sitaleki Timani failed to recover from a hamstring injury in time, after his training run did not impress the Wallabies medical team on Wednesday.
There are five forwards and two backs named on Australia's bench, including Reds second-rower Rob Simmons.
Australia team: Berrick Barnes; Dominic Shipperley, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane; Kurtley Beale, Nick Phipps; Benn Robinson, Tatafu Polota Nau, Ben Alexander, Kane Douglas, Nathan Sharpe, Dave Dennis, Michael Hooper, Radike Samo.
Replacements: Saia Fainga'a, James Slipper, Rob Simmons, Scott Higginbotham, Liam Gill, Brett Sheehan, Anthony Fainga'a.
