Wallabies back-rower Rob Valetini is pleased to have overcome the calf issues that derailed his 2025 Lions Series as his side prepare for a fired-up South Africa.
Valetini is a timely inclusion at number eight for just his second appearance of the year after injury ruled out skipper Harry Wilson for Australia’s Cape Town rematch with the world champion Springboks.
The two-time John Eales Medalist has endured an injury-riddled season, missing the first month of Super Rugby Pacific and donning Wallaby gold for just 40 minutes so far in 2025.
“It feels good. I've been in rehab with my calf and came back against the Lions and ended up doing a bit of a niggle to it so it's been on the mend a bit," Valetini told reporters.
“[I'm] happy to be back and I hope I can do my job for the team this week."
Valetini was watching from the stands as the Wallabies rallied from 22-0 to claim a 38-22 bonus-point victory - one of their largest ever comeback wins.
"At the start there, it felt like it was going to be a long day being 22-0 down, it wasn’t a good start for us … but the second half, things turned around and we were probably the only ones jumping up and down," he said and smiled.
“I was just so happy for the team and the way that we were able to bounce back in the second half and show our character there. To be able to come back and take down the Springboks, all of us were cheering and we were so happy for the whole team.”
The Wallabies understand the loss will only spur the Springboks on - especially given South Africa could drop behind the Australians on the World Rankings should a similar upset occur.
“Definitely expecting a response from them, especially after the last game," Valetini added.
“I think our focus this week has just been mostly on us, just controlling what we can do in camp and in training, controlling how we play and going up against the Springboks. I think that's probably the most important part.”
Valetini was coy about how many minutes he would play on his return, with the likes of Jeremy Williams and Nick Champion de Crespigny able to cover the back-row.
"I'm not too sure on the minutes, but the lungs have been tested last week, and this week, especially last week, I had a bit of running to do last week at Ellis Park, and that wasn't fun," he said.
"I've got through training well this week, and it felt OK, so I guess we'll see how the body goes on the weekend."
