‘Big body’ of Angus Bell to prove useful to the Wallabies in their bid to beat South Africa

The Wallabies front-row has a much stronger look with the return of a Waratahs star for Saturday night’s clash with South Africa.

Angus Bell will return for the Wallabies on Saturday. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images for ARU)

Wallabies skipper Allan Alaalatoa has welcomed the return of fellow prop Angus Bell to Australia’s front-row for Saturday night’s Rugby Championship battle with South Africa in Perth, urging the Waratahs star to “enjoy himself” in his Test comeback from a toe injury.

Bell, 23, has replaced Isaac Kailea at loosehead prop from the team that started for the Wallabies in last Saturday’s 33-7 loss to the Springboks in Brisbane.

It will be Bell’s first Test since last year’s Rugby World Cup after he injured his toe for a third time in April playing for NSW in the Super Rugby Pacific competition.

It led to suggestions that Bell should move to the back-row to lessen the pressure on his foot when scrumagging.

However, he remained in the front row and had his foot reshaped to relieve the pressure.

Bell wasn’t part of Australia’s extended squads for last month’s two Tests against Wales and one game against Georgia, but was recalled ahead of the two battles with South Africa.

Having not been in the match-day squad last weekend at Suncorp Stadium, Bell is finally ready to be unleashed on the world champions.

Angus Bell returns to Australia’s front-row on Saturday night. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images for ARU

“He’s a big body,” Alaalatoa said on Friday.

“We all know the talent that he is and the things that he’s done in this gold jersey.

“It’s awesome to have him back. He’s gone through a tough time throughout his rehab but he’s trained really hard.

“He’s worked with ‘Crono’ (Wallabies scrum coach Mike Cron) and the team at the `Tahs to give himself this opportunity.

“All the boys have got to be beside him and just make sure that he goes out there (on Saturday) and most importantly just enjoys himself.”

Whether “enjoyment” is possible against the powerful Springboks is up for debate, however Alaalatoa said the Wallabies had been focusing on the “positive glimpses” they showed in last week’s 26-point loss.

“On the other side of that, we weren’t consistent enough throughout the whole game to deliver that for 80 minutes,” he said.

“It was a tough learning that way. For us, again the coaching staff have driven the fact that brought all the attention back on us, and just making sure that we continue to grow in our game.

“It does create us opportunities and hopefully (on Saturday) we get points on the back of that.”

Springboks No.8 Elrigh Louw said his team was preparing for an improved display from the Wallabies, who have made five changes to their starting side, including the selection of star winger Marika Koroibete.

“The Wallabies will definitely come back better,” Louw said.

“They’ll sharpen up their game and we’re ready for that. For us it will be important not be caught out by their tactics and plans, so we just have to go out there and execute our game to the best of our ability.”

Wallabies: Angus Bell, Josh Nasser, Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Blyth, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rob Valetini, Carlo Tizzano, Harry Wilson, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Marika Koroibete, Hunter Paisami, Len Ikitau, Andrew Kellaway, Tom Wright. Bench: Billy Pollard, James Slipper, Zane Nonggorr, Tom Hooper, Seru Uru, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Max Jorgensen.

Springboks: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar, Thomas du Toit, Salmaan Moerat, Ruan Nortje, Marco van Staden, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Elrigh Louw, Morne van den Berg, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Aphelele Fassi. Bench: Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok, Handre Pollard.