Wallaby coach Dave Rennie kept faith with the same starting line-up for the first time in ages as he backed the same team that beat the Springboks in Adelaide for their second Castle Lager Rugby Championship match in Sydney on Saturday.
The last time Australia named the same starting XV was when Michael Cheika was coach – 47 tests back – in 2018 against Ireland.
The only player left from that series is winger Marika Koroibete, who has been probably the most controversial player after being celebrated and vilified for his hit on Makazole Mapimpi last weekend.
James Slipper has been named as captain again as the Wallabies look to continue their run of form against the Springboks, which now sits at 8 wins since 2013. The Boks will want to stop that losing streak in Australia going to nine games.
Slipper will run on for his 121st test, equalling both former captain Michael Hooper and Adam Ashley-Cooper on the number.
“It’s great to be able to have some consistency in selection with the team that played last week earning the right to wear the jersey again in Sydney,” Rennie said in a statement.
“While rapt with last week’s effort, we’re well aware of the challenge a wounded Springbok poses and the intensity we will require again on Saturday night.”
The only change to the 23 comes on the bench with Jake Gordon coming into the side for Tate McDermott.
Rennie has retained the 6-2 split, with the Waratahs skipper joining Andrew Kellaway on the bench as the two back reserves.
Rennie said he wanted the team to gain some momentum from their good start in Adelaide as they head into home and away tests against the All Blacks after this game.
“We want to get some momentum. That’s why it’s good to have continuity in selection,” Rennie said at the team announcement press conference.
“We’ve got ourselves in a reasonable position on the table along with Argentina. It’s a big weekend for all teams in that comp. We want to take confidence and momentum into that Bledisloe series but our focus is totally on South Africa at the moment.”
“They’re a high quality side. They’ll be hurting.”
The clash will be the first International event held at the brand new Sydney Football Stadium and has been confirmed as a sell-out crowd.
Wallabies: Reece Hodge, Tom Wright, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Marika Koroibete, Noah Lolesio, Nic White, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Jed Holloway, Matt Philip, Rory Arnold, Allan Alaalatoa, Folau Fainga’a, James Slipper (captain)
Replacements: David Porecki, Scott Sio, Taniela Tupou, Darcy Swain, Rob Leota, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, Andrew Kellaway.