The Wallabies captain, Harry Wilson, will not be present in the match against the Springboks in Cape Town due to a knee injury sustained during Australia’s 38-22 victory at Ellis Park.
Although Wilson’s injury doesn’t seem serious, he will miss this weekend’s second Test.
His place will be taken by Rob Valetini, who has finally recovered from a calf injury that kept him out of action for much of the series against the British and Irish Lions.
Valetini, who suffered a calf injury in Newcastle before the Test against Fiji, is a luxury replacement for Wilson, who scored two tries in last week’s victory.
With Wilson’s absence and Allan Alaalatoa’s injury, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt will have to name a new captain. Will Skelton and Fraser McReight are potential candidates.
Meanwhile, Schmidt is set to hand Corey Toole his Test debut, after Dylan Pietsch suffered a fractured jaw.
Toole joined the Wallabies in 2024, but had not been called up for a Test, until now. He returned to the Brumbies and demonstrated his speed and danger in attack.
Toole, former star of the Australian rugby sevens team and two-time Olympian, will be the twentieth debutant in the Schmidt era with the Wallabies.
The Wallabies will also have to make another change, as James Slipper suffered a concussion and has returned to Australia.WIKUS DE WET/AFP via Getty ImagesAngus Bell appears to be the favorite to replace Slipper, but Schmidt could consider Tom Robertson.
Schmidt is expected to keep the rest of the team that surprised the world champions last weekend.
Australia will confirm its team on Thursday night.
