Injuries Force Wallabies To Adapt For Springboks Test
Australia has been forced to make several changes for their second Rugby Championship match against the Springboks at DHL Stadium on Saturday.
Dylan Pietsch, who scored one of Australia’s tries in their historic win over the Springboks at Ellis Park, is out with a fractured jaw. This victory marked Australia’s first win in Johannesburg in over 60 years and their first in South Africa in 17 years.
Regular captain Harry Wilson will also miss the game after limping off the field in Johannesburg. His club teammate, Fraser McReight, will step in as captain, becoming the 91st player to lead Australia. McReight also took over the captaincy during last weekend’s match after Wilson’s injury.
Squad Changes and Player Updates
Tom Robertson is the final change to the match-day 23, starting at loosehead prop in place of James Slipper, who returned home under HIA protocols. He will join Billy Pollard and Taniela Tupou in the front row. The second-row pairing of Nick Frost and Will Skelton remains unchanged, with Tom Hooper completing the back five of the scrum.
The experienced halves pairing of Nic White and James O’Connor has been selected for the second Test of their 2025 Flight Centre Rugby Championship campaign. White is the only player in the match-day 23 who was on the team the last time the Wallabies played in Cape Town in 2014.
Len Ikitau is set to earn his 45th cap, inching closer to the 50-cap milestone, while partnering with Joseph-Aukuso Suallii in the midfield. Suallii scored his first try for Australia last Saturday. Tom Wright will start at fullback for the 18th time in the last 19 Tests, and 20-year-old Max Jorgensen will line up on the right wing.
The substitute front row will consist of Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Bell, and Zane Nonggorr, with Jeremy Williams and Nick Champion de Crespigny providing additional forward cover. Tate McDermott is the reserve scrumhalf, while Tane Edmed is the replacement flyhalf. Andrew Kellaway finalizes the match-day 23.
Coach’s Comments and Match Outlook
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating, “The squad as a whole has recovered pretty well from what was a very draining and physical Test match on the highveld last week. We struggled to contain a powerhouse Springbok start last weekend, and we know that we have to improve leading into what’s likely to be a bruising encounter in Cape Town on Saturday night.”
Wallabies Team to Play South Africa (at Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg, Saturday, August 16, 5:10 PM):
Starting XV: Tom Robertson, Billy Pollard, Taniela Tupou, Nick Frost, Will Skelton, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight (c), Albany Creek, Rob Valetini, Nic White, James O’Connor, Corey Toole, Len Ikitau, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen, Tom Wright.
Substitutes: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Bell, Zane Nonggorr, Jeremy Williams, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Tate McDermott, Tane Edmed, Andrew Kellaway.
