Latham has played for Australia in two World Cup finals

The full-back has been out for five months after knee surgery.

Connolly has dropped Digby Ioane, Hugh McMeniman, Rod Blake, David Lyons, Sam Norton-Knight and James Horwill from the squad which faced Wales and Fiji.

"We said before those games we were going to experiment. From here on, all bets are off," said Connolly.

"The experimentation will stop. But the last thing we wanted was to get to the World Cup, get some injuries and be wondering 'what if?' We now have some options."

Latham, who has played in two World Cup finals for Australia, is making good progress after reconstructive knee surgery and Connolly said the injury had been free of complications and he could be back soon.

"He had a reconstruction but had no other cartilage or other damage," he said.

"My experience with these injuries is that it takes 12 months to come back because you have so many other problems running again.

"He will come back through a club game or two, and then we would look to put him straight in," said Connolly.

"The realistic view from the doctor is for the last All Black game (21 July)."

Australia squad for Tri-Nations game against South Africa:

Backs: Julian Huxley, Mark Gerrard, Drew Mitchell, Lote Tuqiri, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Stirling Mortlock (co-captain), Scott Staniforth, Stephen Larkham, Sam Cordingley, Matt Giteau, George Gregan.