Wallabies veteran James O'Connor set to make Test squad comeback against Springboks

Just eight weeks after being left out of Australia’s first 36-man squad to take on the British & Irish Lions, the Leicester Tigers bound playmaker is expected to lead the line in Johannesburg's Ellis Park, according to The Roar and confirmed by ESPN sources. Schmidt is set to announce the Wallabies’ full matchday 23 on Thursday night [AEST].

It’s a notable reversal from Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, who last year signaled a move toward younger fly halves, including Noah Lolesio, Tom Lynagh, and Ben Donaldson. Injuries, however, have forced Schmidt’s hand, with Lolesio out following neck surgery, and Lynagh suffered a concussion from clean-out by British & Irish Lions hooker Dan Sheehan.

While many expected Schmidt to start Donaldson and bring O’Connor off the bench for the opening round of the Rugby Championship, the Wallabies coach looks to be leaning towards O'Connor to lead with experience in this high-stakes clash with the back-to-back World Champions. Donaldson, who started two Tests for Australia in 2024, has shown promise off the bench but remains untested under the intensity of a full Test start.

O’Connor only saw 90 seconds of action off the bench in the Super Rugby Pacific final this season. Yet his performances for the Crusaders, largely as a finisher, convinced selectors to give him another shot at the international stage.

It’s a tough baptism back into Test rugby for O'Connor, as Australia haven't beaten the Springboks in South Africa since 2011, with just one win at Ellis Park dating back to 1963. But the Wallabies will at least bring battle-hardened confidence from three grueling encounters with the British & Irish Lions, plus the presence of world-class lock Will Skelton for the two-game tour.