A strong Wallabies side has been named that is set to lock horns with the Springboks, New Zealand, and Argentina in the Rugby Championship.

Under new coaching following a disappointing Rugby World Cup performance, the Wallabies have announced a 36-player squad for their upcoming Rugby Championship clashes against South Africa in Brisbane and Perth. Despite this, Australia has been in impressive form since the season began, winning all three matches and sending a clear warning to the Springboks, who haven’t tasted victory in Brisbane since 2013.

Coach Joe Schmidt has included six uncapped players, among them Paris Olympian Corey Toole and West Australian junior Carlo Tizzano, in a squad composed of 19 forwards and 17 backs. Two-time John Eales Medallist Marika Koroibete is back, joined by 2023 Rugby World Cup teammates Angus Bell and Max Jorgensen, both making their first national team appearances this year as they recover from injury.

Queensland’s Seru Uru and ACT Brumbies’ Luke Reimer join Tizzano and Bell as new additions to the forward pack, with Reds teammates Fraser McReight and Liam Wright sidelined due to injury.

The squad will assemble in Brisbane on Saturday ahead of their showdown with reigning Rugby World Cup champions South Africa at Suncorp Stadium on 10 August. They will then travel to Perth for a second encounter at Optus Stadium on 17 August.

Wallabies head coach Schmidt said, “There was plenty of deliberation among the coaching staff, but we’re confident that the selected squad will rise to the challenge of facing South Africa over the next fortnight. We know there’s hard work ahead, and we’re eager to reunite as a group on Saturday and get down to business. The players appreciated the vocal support during the July Tests and are determined to earn continued backing from the public.”