Wallabies team: Les Kiss gambles with Joseph Suaalii positional switch and forward-heavy bench split for Springboks
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and an inset of Wallabies head coach Les Kiss.
Head coach Les Kiss has named his Wallabies team to face the Springboks with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii starting on the wing for the first time.
The rugby league convert has played all of his previous 24 Test matches in the centres for Australia but moves into the outside backs where his ability under the high ball can be utilised more.
Kiss has also changed tack by naming a 6-2 split on the bench in favour of the forwards.
Suaalii shifts to the wing in re-jigged backline
The versatile Suaalii starts on the left wing with Tom Wright continuing at full-back while Max Jorgensen starts on the right, having made his Test debut against the Springboks at the same venue in 2024.
Hunter Paisami comes into the centres due to Suaalii’s move to the wing where he will partner Len Ikitau, who shifts one position wider to outside centre, as the duo start together in the midfield for the 13th time in Wallaby gold.
Ryan Lonergan is named in the number nine jersey, continuing his streak of starting every Test so far in 2026. He will partner Perth-based Ben Donaldson in the halves for the second consecutive Test.
Harry Wilson captains the side from the number eight jersey once again and he is joined in the back row by Fraser McReight and Rob Valetini, while Jeremy Williams and Josh Canham are the starting locks once again.
Up front, hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa returns to the starting side, as does the experienced Allan Alaalatoa who will make his 94th appearance for his country. Angus Bell finalises the run on front row.
Billy Pollard, Aidan Ross and Taniela Tupou are the substitute front rowers in the 6-2 bench split, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Tom Hooper and Carlo Tizzano primed to make an impact in the back-five forward roles. Tate McDermott and Harry Potter are the two backline replacements.
“We’ve had a solid preparation window here in Perth ahead of what’s going to be a massive Test against South Africa,” head coach Kiss said.
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“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.”
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Wallabies team to face the Springboks
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 (c), 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
Date: Sunday, 27 September 2026
Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 17:30 (local AWST), 10:30 (UK), 11:30 (France), 11:30 (South Africa), 19:30 (AEST), 22:30 (New Zealand), 06:30 (Argentina), 18:30 (JST), 05:30 (EDT)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR) and James Doleman (NZR)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
Broadcasters: Nine Network / Stan Sport (Australia), SuperSport (South Africa / Africa), Sky Sport (New Zealand), Sky Sports (United Kingdom & Ireland), Canal+ (France / Andorra / Monaco / Luxembourg), FloSports (USA), TSN (Canada), ESPN (Argentina / South America), Wowow (Japan), Sky Italia (Italy), Premier Sports (much of Asia), Digicel / Sky Pacific (Pacific Islands)
