For the first time in three years, James O'Connor will be back in Wallaby gold, replacing the injured Tom Lynagh as the Wallabies name their starting team to play the Springboks in the 2025 Rugby Championship opener.
Head coach Joe Schmidt has opted for consistency in the starting team that defeated the British & Irish Lions in Sydney, with the rest of the side unchanged from the 22-12 result.
The side will be looking to replicate a strong performance against the world champion Springboks, with the Wallabies having not tasted victory at Ellis Park since 1963.
James Slipper will pack down once again with Taniela Tupou, with Billy Pollard retaining his spot in the starting side.
Nick Frost and Will Skelton will also retain their positions in the second row, with Tom Hooper keeping hold of the number six jersey, with Rob Valetini still ruled out with injury.
Nic White will partner alongside O'Connor to deliver an experienced halves pairing, while Dylan Pietsch and Max Jorgensen also retain their positions in the back three alongside Tom Wright.
Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will pair up in the centres for their seventh consecutive clash, with the Suaalii playing his first ever Test in South Africa.
However, Schmidt has opted to apply more bulk in the bench, with a 6-2 split seeing replacement flyhalf Ben Donaldson miss out entirely.
Brandon Paenga-Amosa will hold onto the replacement hooker position, support by front row options Angus Bell and Zane Nonggorr.
Jeremy Williams also retains his bench position as an additional lineout option for the back half of the match, with Langi Gleeson injecting impact in the loose forwards.
With Tate McDermott and Andrew Kellaway completing the reserve options, Nick Champion de Crespigny will earn his second cap off the bench following his debut in Brisbane against the Lions, with a big shift needed from the Force loose forward to shut down an imposing South African bomb squad.
“The group has had a good week of preparation, adjusting pretty well to the time zone and the altitude well here in Johannesburg," Schmidt said.
“There’s not many bigger Tests than playing South Africa on their home turf and we know we’re going to need to be at our best on Saturday night.”
1.James Slipper (147 Tests) – #843; Bond Pirates
2. Billy Pollard (10 Tests) - #958; Lindfield Junior Rugby Club
3. Taniela Tupou (59 Tests) - #917; Brothers Rugby
4. Nick Frost (29 Tests) – #953; Hornsby Lions
5. Will Skelton (34 Tests) - #883; The Hills Sports High School
6. Tom Hooper (13 Tests) - #964; Bathurst Bulldogs
7. Fraser McReight (29 Tests) – #937; Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson (c) (26 Tests) – #933; Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Nic White (73 Tests) - #875, Maitland Blacks
10. James O’Connor (64 Tests) - #832, St Joseph’s College, Nudgee
11. Dylan Pietsch (6 Tests) - #978, Leeton Phantoms
12. Len Ikitau (43 Tests) – #944; Tuggeranong Vikings
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (8 Tests) – #988; The Kings School
14. Max Jorgensen (11 Tests) – #984; Balmain Wolves
15. Tom Wright (41 Tests) – #939; Clovelly Eagles
Substitutes
16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (21 Tests) - #918, Southern Districts
17. Angus Bell (39 Tests) – #940; Hunters Hill Rugby Club
18. Zane Nonggorr (12 Tests) - #966; Gold Coast Eagles
19. Jeremy Williams (14 Tests) – #973; Wahroonga Tigers
20. Langi Gleeson (17 Tests) - #960; Harbord Harlequins
21. Nick Champion de Crespigny (1 Test) #991; Canberra Grammar School
22. Tate McDermott (45 Tests) – #936; Flinders Rugby Club
23. Andrew Kellaway (41 Tests) - #943, Hunters Hill Rugby Club
