Venter's recent career has been marred by controversy

Forward AJ Venter returns 13 months after winning his 16th cap. He was suspended twice last year and failed to make the Springboks' World Cup squad.

Also in the pack, Gerrie Britz gets his first start at second row alongside Bakkies Botha, who returns from injury.

Prop Eddie Andrews, half-back Bulla Conradie, winger Jean de Villiers and centre De Wet Barry also all start.

Sharks lock and flanker Venter was unavailable for the Springboks' first two Tests of this year after an eight-week ban for head-butting Queensland's Josh Valentine in a Super 12 match in Durban.

He will play at openside flanker against the Islanders.

Utility forward Britz made his first three Test appearances so far off the bench in matches against Ireland and Wales.

Andrews replaces Faan Rautenbach, while Conradie takes over the starting half-back role from Fourie du Preez.

De Villiers and De Wet Barry return to the team after recovering from injuries.

Captain and hooker John Schmit said the game against the Islanders was an opportunity to end South Africa's six-year losing streak in Australia.

"The Islanders are going to be physical, but we want to start off the Australasian tour with a win," he said.

The Springboks open their Tri-Nations campaign against New Zealand in Christchurch the following Saturday, before playing Australia in Perth on 31 July.