Skelton, White gives Wallabies squad some bite for Bok tests

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has included two key players that will make the Springboks sit up and take notice in his 35 man squad to tour the country for their two Castle Lager Rugby Championship tests in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

The majority of the group is kept from the recent test series against the British and Irish Lions but two names that pique interest are that of scrumhalf Nic White and lock Will Skelton, both of whom played big roles in the Lions series.

White was supposed to have retired after the series, but decided to tour South Africa after injuries forced out Jake Gordon from the group and is expected to retire when the team injury list gets better.

WHITE’S DIVE WILL BE REMEMBERED

But South Africans will remember him well from the yellow card he milked by diving after Faf de Klerk clipped his moustache in the ill-tempered test in 2022, something that many felt made a mockery of the yellow card laws.

White’s reaction, combined with his normal penchant to try and get under opposition skins will be key for the Wallabies if they are to disrupt the World Champions in the two tests that kick off the Rugby Championship.

Skelton wasn’t initially sure he would be released by his French club La Rochelle for the Rugby Championship, but his inclusion - along with that of Rob Valentini, gives the Wallabies a bit more of a physical edge when they face the Springboks.

Skelton made a massive difference in the second and third tests against the Lions and his rough-housery really upset the Lions’ rhythm, with Schmidt hoping the same will happen when they take the field at Ellis Park on August 16.

SKELTON MAKES FORWARDS STRONGER

The Boks pride themselves on their setpiece and physicality as a strong basis to lauch their attacks and Skelton, Valentini and others like the “Tongan Thor” Taniela Tupou will want to disrupt this to give the Wallabies some hope on fields they have normally struggled on.

With flyhalves Tom Lynaugh and Noah Lolesio missing, the Brumbies pivot Tane Edmed has been named in the squad as well while another Brumbie, Ryan Lonergan will be one of the three halfbacks along with White and Tate McDermott.

Lonergan is one of three uncapped players selected, alongside club teammate and winger Corey Toole and new Reds recruit and prop Aidan Ross.

Western Force hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa has been officially added to the group, having answered a late call ahead of the final Lions test after injuries to David Porecki and Matt Faessler last Thursday. Porecki had subsequently announced his retirement from professional rugby earlier this week.

YOUNGSTERS ADDED TO GROUP

Queensland trio Josh Flook, Josh Nasser and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto are the remaining three new faces confirmed in the squad, with Salakaia-Loto selected to provide depth as an experienced tighthead lock.

The recently awarded 2025 Queensland’s Player of the Year, Filipo Daugunu will remain in Australia for the impending birth of his child.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “It’s pleasing to be able to keep the core of the group together, while also leaning on some depth and fresh bodies. We’re very conscious of how difficult it is going to be, playing South Africa on their home turf over two consecutive weekends.

“The group has made some positive steps throughout the start of the test season but we all know there is a lot of hard work ahead of us.”

Others that will make the trip include Ulster bound prop Angus Bell, loose forwards Fraser McReight and Carlo Tizzano, who will test the Boks’ breakdown, veteran prop James Slipper and the new face of Wallabies rugby Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.

The Wallabies will assemble in Sydney on Friday and fly to Johannesburg the same day.

Wallabies squad to tour South Africa as part of the Flight Centre Rugby Championship (Wallaby number, first Australian Rugby club, Super Rugby Pacific club, test caps)

Forwards (20)

Angus Bell (#940, Hunters Hill Rugby Club, Waratahs, 39)

Nick Champion De Crespigny (#991, Canberra Grammar School, Western Force, 1)

Nick Frost (#953, Hornsby Lions, Brumbies, 29)

Langi Gleeson (#960, Harbourd Harlequins, Waratahs, 17)

Tom Hooper (#964, Bathurst Bulldogs, Brumbies, 13)

Fraser McReight (#937, Albany Creek Brumbies, Reds, 29)

Josh Nasser (#979, Easts Rugby (Brisbane), Reds, 6)

Zane Nonggorr (#966, Gold Coast Eagles, Reds, 12)

Brandon Paenga-Amosa (#918, Southern Districts, Western Force, 21)

Billy Pollard (#958, Lindfield Junior Rugby Club, Brumbies, 10)

Tom Robertson (#898, Dubbo Kangaroos, Western Force, 33)

Aidan Ross (uncapped, TBC, Reds, 0)

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (#914, Randwick, Reds, 41)

Will Skelton (#883, The Hills Sports High School, Stade Rochelais (France), 34)

James Slipper (#843, Bond Pirates, Brumbies, 147)

Carlo Tizzano (#982, University of Western Australia, Western Force, 8)

Taniela Tupou (#917, Brothers Rugby (Brisbane), Waratahs, 59)

Rob Valetini (#929, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, Brumbies, 53)

Jeremy Williams (#973, Wahroonga Tigers, Western Force, 14)

Harry Wilson (#933, Gunnedah Red Devils, Reds, 26)

Backs (15)

Ben Donaldson (#962, Clovelly Eagles, Western Force, 19)

Tane Edmed (#990, West Harbour Juniors, Waratahs, 1)

Josh Flook (#972, Brothers Rugby, Reds, 4)

Len Ikitau (#944, Tuggeranong Vikings, Brumbies, 43)

Max Jorgensen (#984, Balmain Wolves, Waratahs, 11)

Andrew Kellaway (#943, Hunters Hill Rugby Club, Waratahs, 41)

Ryan Lonergan (uncapped, Tuggeranong Vikings, Brumbies, 0)

Tate McDermott (#936, Flinders Rugby Club, Reds, 45)

James O’Connor (#832, St Joseph’s College, Nudgee, Crusaders (New Zealand), 64)

Hunter Paisami (#932, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, Reds, 31)

Dylan Pietsch (#978, Leeton Phantoms, Western Force, 6)

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (#988, The Kings School, Waratahs, 8)

Corey Toole (uncapped, Wagga Waratahs, Brumbies, 0)

Nic White (#875, Maitland Blacks, Western Force, 73)

Tom Wright (#939, Clovelly Eagles, Brumbies, 41)

Unavailable for selection due to injury

Allan Alaalatoa

Charlie Cale

Massimo De Lutiis

Matt Faessler

Jake Gordon

Noah Lolesio

Tom Lynagh

Harry Potter

Luke Reimer