Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has named Fraser McReight to captain the Wallabies against the Springboks on Sunday (AEST) in Cape Town.
McReight becomes the 91st player to lead the Wallabies after Harry Wilson was ruled out with injury.
The 26-year-old captained the Junior Wallabies in 2019, helping them to their first Oceania U20s title.
He debuted the following year against the All Blacks in 2020 and became the fifth captain used under Schmidt.
The timely return of powerhouse backrower Rob Valetini offsets the loss of Wilson.
Valetini last pulled on the gold jersey during the second British & Irish Lions Test as he deals with a calf complaint, filling the void left by Wilson’s absence.
Schmidt is also set to unleash the fastest man in Australian Rugby, naming Corey Toole on the wing in the lone change to the backline
Toole comes onto the wing for the second match of the Rugby Championship, replacing Dylan Pietsch (jaw), who returned home to Australia.
It caps off Toole’s remarkable rise after initially making his name in the Sevens program.
He would join the ACT Brumbies, emerging on selectors’ radars after scoring 28 tries in his 43 games for the club.
Prop Tom Robertson gets his first start of the year, replacing James Slipper after he picked up a concussion.
It’s the first time Robertson will start in the gold jersey since the 2018 Bledisloe Cup.
There is one change to the bench, with Nick Champion de Crespigny back in the side after he was a late withdrawal for the inclusion of Tane Edmed.
“The squad as a whole has recovered pretty well from what was a very draining and physical Test match on the Highveld last week.
“We struggled to contain a powerhouse Springbok start last weekend and we know that we have to improve leading into what’s likely to be a bruising encounter in Cape Town on Saturday night.”
1. Tom Robertson (33 Tests) – #898; Dubbo Junior Rugby Club
2. Billy Pollard (11 Tests) - #958; Lindfield Junior Rugby Club
3. Taniela Tupou (60 Tests) - #917; Brothers Rugby
4. Nick Frost (30 Tests) – #953; Hornsby Lions
5. Will Skelton (35 Tests) - #883; The Hills Sports High School
6. Tom Hooper (14 Tests) - #964; Bathurst Bulldogs
7. Fraser McReight (c) (30 Tests) – #937; Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Rob Valetini (53 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
9. Nic White (74 Tests) - #875, Maitland Blacks
10. James O’Connor (65 Tests) - #832, St Joseph’s College, Nudgee
11. Corey Toole* - uncapped, Wagga Crows
12. Len Ikitau (44 Tests) – #944; Tuggeranong Vikings
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (9 Tests) – #988; The Kings School
14. Max Jorgensen (12 Tests) – #984; Balmain Wolves
15. Tom Wright (42 Tests) – #939; Clovelly Eagles
Substitutes
16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (22 Tests) - #918, Southern Districts
17. Angus Bell (40 Tests) – #940; Hunters Hill Rugby Club
18. Zane Nonggorr (13 Tests) - #966; Gold Coast Eagles
19. Jeremy Williams (15 Tests) – #973; Wahroonga Tigers
20. Nick Champion de Crespigny (1 Test) - #991; Canberra Grammar School
21. Tate McDermott (46 Tests) – #936; Flinders Rugby Club
22. Tane Edmed (1 Test) - #990; West Harbour Juniors
23. Andrew Kellaway (42 Tests) - #943, Hunters Hill Rugby Club
