Tom Hooper to make Australia debut in Rugby Championship opener against South Africa

Australia coach Eddie Jones has named four debutants in the matchday squad for the Rugby Championship opener against South Africa to be played in Pretoria on Saturday.

Tom Hooper has been selected at blindside as he will join Michael Hooper and Rob Valetini in the back row with co-captain James Slipper overcoming a knee injury to start at front row that also has David Porecki and Allan Alaalatoa.

Nick Frost and Will Skelton have been opted at second row while Quade Cooper has been handed the kicking responsibility with Nic White at scrum-half.

Reece Hodge will start at inside centre, combining in the midfield with Len Ikitau while Marika Koroibete and Suliasi Vunivalu are at left and right wings with Tom Wright starting at fullback.

21-year-old Zane Nonggorr, Taniela Tupou and Richie Arnold are set to make their debut from the bench.

"As a squad, the players have worked extremely hard since coming together as a group and we've prepared well this week," Jones said via a media release.

"The 23 players selected have an opportunity to be part of history with a win over South Africa in Pretoria on Saturday night."

Australia XV: 1-James Slipper (captain), 2-David Porecki, 3-Allan Alaalatoa, 4-Nick Frost, 5-Will Skelton, 6-Tom Hooper, 7-Michael Hooper, 8-Rob Valetini, 9-Nic White, 10-Quade Cooper, 11-Marika Koroibete, 12-Reece Hodge, 13-Len Ikitau, 14-Suliasi Vunivalu, 15-Tom Wright

Reserves: 16-Jordan Uelese, 17-Matt Gibbon, 18-Zane Nonggorr, 19-Richie Arnold, 20-Pete Samu, 21-Tate McDermott, 22-Samu Kerevi, 23-Carter Gordon.