The Wallabies’ historic victory over the Springboks came at a cost, with three key players set to miss out on the forthcoming clash at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
Australia’s most capped player James Slipper is out after failing a HIA test in Johannesburg, ending his strong run of starts so far in 2025.
Winger Dylan Pietsch will also miss out after sustaining a broken jaw while tackling Siya Kolisi, with scans after the match confirming the worst and ending the talented winger’s triumphant return to Wallaby gold for the time being.
A worrying loss for Joe Schmidt comes in the form of Ben Donaldson, with the Force flyhalf pulling up injured after Thursday training.
He joins a growing casualty ward of tens, with Noah Lolesio and Tom Lynagh still sidelined following injuries against Fiji and the British & Irish Lions, respectively.
To counteract these three losses, Schmidt has sent an SOS back to Australia with Brumbies prop Rhys Van Nek called in for teammate Slipper, while Reds star Filipo Daugunu and the Force’s Hamish Stewart bolster the backline.
Van Nek’s elevation follows a strong Super Rugby Pacific with ACT and consecutive years in the Australia A jersey across 2023 and 2024.
Despite losing the experienced Slipper, Schmidt has front row options to call upon with Angus Bell likely to step into the starting side.
Tom Robertson is also fit to play after a strong Lions series while new arrival Aidan Ross could yet debut in gold after encouraging performances for the Reds and AUNZ Invitational XV.
On the backs front, Daugunu comes into the squad in red hot form, being named the Pilecki Medal winner as the Queensland Reds’ best during the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.
In addition to the utility options both Daugunu and Stewart provide, Schmidt will also have options in the current squad, with Josh Flook and Hunter Paisami having both been in camp all year.
Andrew Kellaway could also shift into the starting side, adjusting well following Pietsch’s departure from the field at Ellis Park.
However, should Schmidt opt for a specialist winger, the result could open the door for Brumbies’ speedster Corey Toole to make his long-awaited debut.
