For the first time in three years, James O'Connor will be back in the Wallabies jersey, replacing the injured Tom Lynagh as the Wallabies name their starting 15 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 look to replicate a dominant performance against the world champion Springboks, with the Wallabies not having claimed 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, as Rob Valetini is ruled out due to injury.
Nic White will partner with O'Connor to form an experienced halves pairing, while Dylan Pietsch and Max Jorgensen retain their places 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.
The Wallabies will play South Africa at the Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg at 3.10am Sunday, while the All Blacks will meet Argentina at 9.10am.
Wallabies starting XV James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Taniela Tupou, Nick Frost, Will Skelton, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Nic White, James O’Connor, Dylan Pietsch, Len Ikitau, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen, Tom Wright
Substitutes Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Bell, Zane Nonggorr, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Tate McDermott, Andrew Kellaway
Source: Rugby.com.au
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