JOC Shocker: O’Connor Starts for Wallabies vs. Springboks in Rugby Championship

The Wallabies are preparing for an unexpected comeback, with rugby veteran James O’Connor set to start in the opening match of the Rugby Championship against the Springboks. Just eight weeks after being left out of Australia’s initial 36-player squad for 2025, the 33-year-old, who will join Leicester, is set to wear the number 10 jersey at the famous Ellis Park in Johannesburg. This decision represents a change of direction by Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, who last year had made it clear that Australia should move forward without players like O’Connor, Quade Cooper and Bernard Foley, betting on the emerging trio of Noah Lolesio, Tom Lynagh and Ben Donaldson. However, injuries to Lolesio, who underwent neck surgery, and Tom Lynagh, after a dangerous tackle, have forced Schmidt to reconsider his strategy. Although Schmidt was expected to opt for Donaldson and use O’Connor from the bench in South Africa, the New Zealand coach seems to have chosen experience over potential. Donaldson started in two matches in 2024, with a victory over Georgia and a historic defeat against Argentina, which raised doubts about his ability to handle the intensity of high-level rugby from the start. The Western Force player has shown greater security from the bench, but had a solid 47-minute performance as Lynagh’s replacement in the 22-12 victory over the Lions in Sydney. O’Connor, for his part, hasn’t played since the Crusaders’ victory over the Chiefs in the Super Rugby Pacific final, where he came off the bench in the last 90 seconds of the match.

The 64-cap veteran hasn’t played a test since 2022, when he was called up to the national team by then Wallabies coach Dave Rennie. His performance with the Crusaders this season, where he played a finishing role, generated calls for him to be considered again for the Wallabies selection, something Schmidt finally did by adding the 33-year-old player to his team to face the Lions after Lolesio’s injury. The weekend’s challenge couldn’t be more difficult for O’Connor or the Wallabies, as Australia hasn’t beaten the Springboks in South Africa since 2011 and only has one victory at Ellis Park, in 1963. However, Australia should be prepared to face the world champions after three tough encounters with the Lions, and has also retained the services of world-class second-row Will Skelton for their two-match tour of South Africa. Schmidt will confirm his 23-player squad on Thursday evening.