The Wallabies coaches have confirmed a 35-player squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa. The group has remained consistent from the one that competed in the British & Irish Lions Series with a handful of forced changes due to injury.
ACT Brumbies bound Tane Edmed has been named in the squad after flyhalf Tom Lynagh was ruled out with concussion following a clean out in the final Lions Test in Sydney last weekend.
His halves partner for the first two Tests, Jake Gordon is also unavailable through injury, with uncapped Canberra-local Ryan Lonergan joining Tate McDermott and Nic White as the scrumhalves in South Africa. White putting his hand up to help the group again due to Gordon’s injury, just a week after announcing his plans to retire.
Lonergan is one of three uncapped players selected, alongside club teammate and winger Corey Toole and new Queensland Reds recruit and prop Aidan Ross.
Western Force hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa has been officially added to the group, having answered a late call ahead of the final Lions Test after injuries to David Porecki and Matt Faessler last Thursday. Porecki having subsequently announced his retirement from professional rugby earlier this week.
Queensland trio Josh Flook, Josh Nasser and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto are the remaining three new faces confirmed in the squad, with Salakaia-Loto selected to provide depth as an experienced tighthead lock.
The recently awarded 2025 Pilecki Medal winner for Queensland’s Player of the Year, Filipo Daugunu will remain in Australia for the impending birth of his child.
The Wallabies will play two Tests in South Africa, the first at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Saturday August 16 before travelling to Cape Town for the second match at DHL Stadium on Saturday August 23. All dates are local dates.
The squad, which contains 20 forwards, and 15 backs will assemble in Sydney tomorrow before departing for Johannesburg early Saturday morning.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “It’s pleasing to be able to keep the core of the group together, while also leaning on some depth and fresh bodies. We’re very conscious of how difficult it is going to be, playing South Africa on their home turf over two consecutive weekends.
“The group has made some positive steps throughout the start of the Test season but we all know there is a lot of hard work ahead of us.”
Wallabies squad to tour South Africa
Forwards: Angus Bell, Nick Champion De Crespigny, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Billy Pollard, Tom Robertson, Aidan Ross, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Will Skelton, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson.
Backs: Ben Donaldson, Tane Edmed, Josh Flook, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, James O’Connor, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Corey Toole, Nic White, Tom Wright.
Unavailable for selection due to injury: Allan Alaalatoa, Charlie Cale, Massimo De Lutiis, Matt Faessler, Jake Gordon, Noah Lolesio, Tom Lynagh, Harry Potter, Luke Reimer.
