Perth – South Africa’s ugly but effective kick-chase game has drawn support from former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones, who believes it’s no different to Robbie Deans’ traditional playing style.

The outspoken Jones, a Springboks coaching assistant in their triumphant 2007 World Cup campaign, took a sly jab at current Australian coach Deans in defending the unbeaten Tri-Nations leaders.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has led criticism of the lack of entertainment in the current game, mastered by the `Boks, but Jones said Deans’ successful Crusaders Super 14 teams played the same territorial game which relied heavily on kicking.

“The Boks are playing no differently to the way the Crusaders have done down the years, and no one complained about them,” Jones told South African rugby website keo.co.za.

“They put the ball downfield, put pressure on the opposition and accumulate points.

“Australia also don’t play significantly differently from the Springboks.

“They play the kick-chase and, once they’re in the opposition half, they play off turnovers.

“You can almost take it (the criticism) as though they are just envious at the way the Boks are executing it.”

Deans on Thursday said the Wallabies would try new plans to upset the unbeaten South Africans in a must-win clash at Subiaco Oval on Saturday night.

The Springboks made a selection surprise by naming the highly-adaptable Ruan Pienaar at fullback.

Pienaar, who made his name as a halfback before converting to five-eighth this year, replaces Frans Steyn in the No.15 jersey.

“Ruan is a brilliant rugby player,” said Springboks coach Peter de Villiers, who initially used Pienaar at No.10 this season ahead of radar-boot Morne Steyn.

“We want to keep his interest levels high and we can’t afford to lose Ruan.”

The mercurial Frans Steyn drops to the bench where flanker Schalk Burger has also been named for his comeback from suspension for gouging in the June series against the British and Irish Lions.

The highly-rated Burger comes back into the Springboks squad for Danie Rossouw, who is nursing a slight hamstring strain, but could not unseat Heinrich Brussow from the starting pack.

“It’s certainly indicative of where our team is at the moment to see Schalk at No.19,” said captain John Smit.

“It shows how far the team has come. It’s amazing to have a bench like that.”

A fourth straight Tri-Nations victory will almost guarantee the world champions the 2009 series crown.