Wallabies pick Harry Potter to face Springboks!

The 23-year-old Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will start on the wing for the Wallabies for the first time against the Springboks at Perth’s Optus Stadium on Sunday, 27 September.

The versatile Suaalii will join a back three that sees Tom Wright continue at fullback and Max Jorgensen on the right wing, the latter having made his Test debut against the Springboks at the same venue in 2024.

READ | Andre Esterhuizen joins this illustrious list of Springbok captains

Starting streak extended

Suaalii’s move to the wing will see last year’s John Eales Medallist Len Ikitau shift one position wider to outside centre with Hunter Paisami named at inside centre.

Paisami and Ikitau will be starting together in the midfield for the 13th time in Wallaby gold.

Ryan Lonergan is named at scrumhalf, continuing his streak of starting every Test so far in 2026. He will partner Perth-based Ben Donaldson at flyhalf for the second consecutive Test.

Hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa returns to the starting side, as does the experienced prop Allan Alaalatoa who will make his 94th appearance for his country. Angus Bell completes the run-on front row.

Unchanged

Elsewhere, the forward pack remains unchanged from the team’s last outing, with Jeremy Williams and athletic Josh Canham the starting second rowers.

Harry Wilson will again captain the side from the back of the scrum with the damaging Rob Valetini and dynamic Fraser McReight the starting flankers.

The coaches have opted for a split of six forwards and two backs on the bench with Billy Pollard, Aidan Ross and Taniela Tupou the substitute front row.

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will be asked to use his experience as the replacement second rower, with Tom Hooper and Carlo Tizzano’s physicality to be called upon as the remaining forward cover. Tate McDermott and Harry Potter are the two backs on the bench.

Solid preparation

Wallabies head coach Les Kiss said: “We’ve had a solid preparation window here in Perth ahead of what’s going to be a massive Test against South Africa. Playing against the number one team in the world focuses the mind and we have worked hard on key areas to meet this challenge and continue to grow our game.”

Kick-off is at 11:45 (SA time) and the Test will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Teams

Australia

15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Angus Bell

Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Aidan Ross, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Tom Hooper, 21 Carlo Tizzano, 22 Tate McDermott, 23 Harry Potter

South Africa

15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (captain), 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Marco van Staden, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Jasper Wiese, 21 Morne van den Berg, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Quan Horn

Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), James Doleman (New Zealand)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)