Hodge has come off the bench in his last two games since recovering from a fractured ankle but the Rebels see his value on the highveld as they search for their first ever win in South Africa.

Named on the wing, Hodge has relegated Marika Koroibete to the bench although coach Dave Wessels says he's happy with the Test winger's form.

"I thought Marika played really well and the Brumbies game was one of the better games I've seen him play," Wessels said on Thursday.

"Hodgey brings a kicking game at altitude which could be valuable for us.

"He can kick anything pretty much the length of the field for us so he's a handy guy to have in the mix."

Among the changes to the line-up which over-ran the Brumbies last round, lock Luke Jones has switched to blindside flanker where he has spent plenty of time through his career.

Adam Coleman and Ross Haylett-Petty are the starting second-row with Matt Philip named on the bench after overcoming an infected foot which landed him in hospital for three days following the Brumbies match last Friday night.

Wessels said he was surprised by Philip's recovery.

"It's settled down a lot and he ran yesterday and looked pretty comfortable so I'm surprised by how well it's healed," Wessels said.

"He's his normal self so he will be good to go."

The Rebels arrived in two groups with the Wallabies going via a three-day Test squad camp in Sydney, but Wessels said it hadn't affected their preparation.

"If anything it's shortened up our preparation which has been a blessing in disguise," he said.

"We've done things differently - traditionally we've gone easy at the start and built into it and this time we've done the opposite and I think it's really worked and the guys are feeling good."

He said their poor record in South Africa - 14 losses and a draw from their 15 games - had barely been mentioned.

"We're a different team than some of the Rebels teams who have come here in the past so we haven't found it relevant," Wessels said.

Rebels: Dane Haylett-Petty (capt), Jack Maddocks, Tom English, Billy Meakes, Reece Hodge, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Isi Naisarani, Brad Wilkin, Luke Jones, Adam Coleman, Ross Haylett-Petty, Sam Talakai, Anaru Rangi, Tetera Faulkner. Res: Robbie Abel, Matt Gibbon, Jermaine Ainsley, Matt Philip, Angus Cottrell, Michael Ruru, Sione Tuipulotu, Marika Koroibete.

Australian Associated Press