South Africa coach White has left out many first-choice players

The Australian Rugby Union had wanted the Tri-Nations game against the Springboks on 7 July to be called off, but it has since backed down.

"We must look at the bigger picture in a World Cup year. Besides, there's only three new caps," said White.

The ARU branded the Springbok squad as insulting" and "a betrayal".

"For the record, the best players in the 1999 World Cup, which Australia won, were John Eales and Tim Horan and neither of them played any Super 12 rugby that year," added White.

"Last year, New Zealand played an A and a B side. Nobody said anything in 2004 when I fielded a very inexperienced side with just 175 caps."

To send a less than top line squad is insulting ARU chairman Peter McGrath

ARU chairman Peter McGrath did not pull any punches and was heavily critical of the South African Rugby Union.

"The ARU does consider this a betrayal," he said.

"To send a less than top line squad is insulting, not only to the spirit of the Tri-Nations competition, but more importantly the Australian and South African rugby faithful, both here and abroad.

"The South African Rugby Union was more than happy to cash-in on the quality of the Wallabies squad we sent this month to South Africa.

"This has obviously not been reciprocated."

White picked a squad missing 21 top names for the tour and the party has been further weakened after two more players joined AJ Venter, who has retired, in pulling out.

Prop Deon Carstens is out with a shoulder injury while flanker Luke Watson has a rib injury.

Carstens has been replaced by CJ van der Linde while Kabamba Floors comes in for Watson.