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Following their miraculous comeback win at Ellis Park, the Wallabies are keeping momentum alive with a rotated match-day 23. Injuries have forced Joe Schmidt into changes, with James Slipper, Dylan Pietsch and captain Harry Wilson all ruled out. But the reshuffle brings opportunity, with some headline inclusions set to make an impact against the Springboks in Cape Town.
Following their miraculous comeback win at Ellis Park, the Wallabies are keeping momentum alive with a rotated match-day 23. Injuries have forced Joe Schmidt into changes, with James Slipper, Dylan Pietsch and captain Harry Wilson all ruled out. But the reshuffle brings opportunity, with some headline inclusions set to make an impact against the Springboks in Cape Town.
Labelled Australia’s fastest player, Corey Toole will finally get his shot in Wallaby gold. The Brumbies winger, who first made his name on the Sevens circuit by clocking 9.89 metres per second, has been turning heads in Super Rugby since 2023 with his blistering speed and eye for the try line. On Sunday, he’ll make his Test debut on the wing, a long-awaited chance to showcase his pace on the biggest stage.
The other major change is the return of Rob Valetini, who slots straight in for the injured Harry Wilson. Valetini brings immense physicality and the ability to punch holes in South Africa’s blitz defence. With Wilson sidelined by a knee injury, Fraser McReight takes over skipper duties, becoming the 91st Wallabies captain. McReight was immense in Johannesburg last week, his work over the ball swinging momentum Australia’s way and earning him Man of the Match honours. He has become a leader in the Wallabies group and has endured some dark times in recent years with the Wallabies flucuating form.
Up front, Tom Robertson starts at loosehead after Slipper was sent home with concussion. Nick Champion de Crespigny joins the bench for his second Test, replacing Langi Gleeson. Nic White and James O’Connor continue their partnership in the halves, after steering the side around last week with assured performances that only comes with experience. Will Skelton continues his run with the Wallabies amid speculation he is negotaiting his leave from La Rochelle to play the rest of The Rugby Championship.
For Schmidt, the theme remains consistency. Schmidt is growing a core group of reliable selections, and again this week he has made miniminal changes in order to build cohesion and combinations with a long-term eye on the 2027 World Cup. The growing number of Test caps together within this group has developed trust and sharper instinct in support play, with the rugby intelligence to adapt mid-game. That was clearly on full display in the comeback at Ellis Park.
Now history looms once again. The Wallabies travel to Cape Town hunting a first win at DHL Stadium in 32 years, eager to prove their Ellis Park miracle was no one-off.
Australia Starting XV (1-15) Tom Robertson, Billy Pollard, Taniela Tupou, Nick Frost, Will Skelton, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight (C), Rob Valetini, Nic White, James O’Connor, Corey Toole, Len Ikitau, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen, Tom Wright
Australia Replacements (16-23) Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Bell, Zane Nonggorr, Jeremy Williams, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Tate McDermott, Tane Edmed, Andrew Kellaway
