That elusive Test debut has been a long time coming for Corey Toole, but the wait will finally be over when he takes the field on Saturday night.
Toole, 25, has thrived since making the transition from Sevens and was the Brumbies' chief attacking weapon in 2025, with his 11 tries placing him equal-second across Super Rugby Pacific.
Throw in a competition-high for clean breaks (24) and his top-ten finish for metres gained (730), and Toole is expected to ask plenty of questions out wide, though he'll face his own challenges from Springbok stars Cheslin Kolbe and Canan Moodie.
“I wouldn't say I'm more accustomed,” said Toole, when asked about his Sevens experience playing in Cape Town.
“I played here at Cape Town in 2022. It's a lot different there. Obviously, playing sevens is a different game.. there's not that much space [in XVs] and there's a lot bigger guys, a lot bigger on the field.
“[Seeing Kolbe’s success], I've taken a lot of confidence out of that. The sort of smaller wingers, a bit like myself.
“Looking up to those guys, [they] play so well and are some of the best wingers in the world. [It] definitely gives me a lot of confidence coming into this weekend.”
Toole will have plenty of familiar faces around him on debut, having worked regularly with the likes of Tom Wright and Len Ikitau at the Brumbies.
Now, the speedster is raring at the prospect of pulling on Wallaby gold and delivering on rugby's biggest stage.
“I've been around the squad for a little while now, so I've been quite excited for a little while now," Toole said.
“But I've played a lot of footy with these guys before, like Tom Wright, Lenny and Whitey [Nic White] in the backs.
“Playing with those boys, I've got a lot of confidence and belief that I can go out there this weekend and do my job.”
One person who won’t be doubting Toole’s abilities is Brumbies teammate Rob Valetini, who will also return to the starting side after overcoming a calf injury.
“I’m excited to see my mate Tooley play, he creates something out of nothing,” Valetini told reporters.
“Whenever he's got the ball, you always know he's going to make at least a 10, 20-metre gain somehow.
“I guess as forwards, it makes the game easier for you. When someone gets game on, they're always playing on the back foot. Excited for him to play and go up against some good opposition.”
