'Giteau is even better than 2011' - MItchell

Drew Mitchell believes his Toulon team-mate Matt Giteau is a better player ahead of his first Test appearance in four years.

Giteau hasn’t turned out for the Wallabies since the 2011 Rugby World Cup but starts at inside centre when Australia face South Africa in Brisbane on Saturday.

The 92-cap playmaker has enjoyed phenomenal success in France after his time in Super Rugby with the Brumbies and Force.

Mitchell however knows that if Giteau can’t handle the pace of the weekend’s Test match or any to come in the future that Giteau will be the first to mention it to Michael Cheika.

"He's a straight up, honest guy and if he thinks he's not up to it, he will have that chat but I think his form warrants it: he is consistently a top-three player in Europe,” Mitchell said to AAP.

"He's a better player now (he has left Australia) - rugby has found a rightful place in his life.

"He's got a wife and kids now. He said in the past he put too much importance on rugby, felt the pressure through the media and found himself not being able to play to the best of his ability. But he's a more rounded player now."