Underrated Rebels flanker Angus Cottrell is in line for a Test debut after being named in the Wallabies squad to tour South Africa and Argentina.

Cottrell has been called into the squad in place of Pete Samu who is out for a month with a knee injury suffered in the loss to the Pumas on the Gold Coast.

The 28-year-old will be a live chance to make his debut in Samu's absence as Lukhan Tui is also unavailable due to the sudden passing of his stepfather.

Cottrell, Caleb Timu and Ned Hanigan shape as coach Michael Cheika's only options to partner David Pocock and Michael Hooper in the backrow.

Jake Gordon is the other fresh face in Cheika's squad.

He has leapfrogged Brumbies halfback Joe Powell in the halfback pecking order after some stellar showings for the NSW Country Eagles.

There has been a similar swap in the depth chart at hooker with Tolu Latu left out of the squad. Brandon Paenga-Amosa will travel to Port Elizabeth in his place.

That is where the changes end, Cheika retaining all of the available players from the 23 which fell to Argentina on home soil for the first time in 35 years.

That loss eliminated the Wallabies from Rugby Championship contention but Cheika said there is still plenty to play for overseas.

"There’s an opportunity presented to us now to get some good victories overseas and that’s going to come from consistency in the way that we play," he said.

"We have got some news additions to the squad and these guys have shown plenty of grit and determination to get an opportunity at a higher level so now we’re looking for them to add that to the mix.

"We’re very determined to make sure that we repay the faith and show people what we’re about in the way we play."

SQUAD

Wallabies squad to tour South Africa, Argentina

Forwards

Allan Alaalatoa (27 Tests, Brumbies, 24)

Rory Arnold (17 Tests , Brumbies, 28)

Adam Coleman (26 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 26)

Angus Cottrell* (uncapped, Melbourne Rebels, 28)

Folau Fainga’a (3 Tests, Brumbies, 23)

Ned Hanigan (15 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 23)

Michael Hooper (c) (85 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 26)

Sekope Kepu (97 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 32)

Brandon Paenga-Amosa (3 Tests, Queensland Reds, 22)

David Pocock (72 Tests, Brumbies, 30)

Tatafu Polota-Nau (86 Tests, Leicester, 33)

Tom Robertson (24 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 24)

Izack Rodda (11 Tests, Queensland Reds, 22)

Rob Simmons (89 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)

Scott Sio (49 Tests, Brumbies, 26)

Caleb Timu (2 Tests, Queensland Reds, 24)

Taniela Tupou (6 Tests, Queensland Reds, 22)

Backs

Tom Banks (2 Tests, Brumbies, 24)

Kurtley Beale (78 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)

Israel Folau (67 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)

Bernard Foley (62 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 28)

Will Genia (94 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 30)

Jake Gordon* (uncapped, NSW Waratahs, 25)

Dane Haylett-Petty (25 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 29)

Reece Hodge (31 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 23)

Marika Koroibete (15 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 26)

Jack Maddocks (4 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 21)

Sefa Naivalu (7 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 26)

Nick Phipps (67 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)

Matt Toomua (37 Tests, Leicester/Melbourne Rebels, 28)

*denotes uncapped