Australia recall O’Connor to face champions South Africa

Veteran fly-half James O’Connor has been recalled by Australia for a 2025 Rugby Championship opener against title-holders South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The 35-year-old, who helped New Zealand outfit Crusaders win the Super Rugby title this season, last represented the Wallabies three years ago.

Ben Donaldson had been widely tipped for the playmaker role, but he did not make the matchday 23 named by coach Joe Schmidt on Thursday.

O’Connor in for the unavailable Tom Lynagh is the only change to the line-up that started a 22-12 victory over the British and Irish Lions in Sydney this month.

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Lynagh suffered concussion during the final match of a series the Wallabies lost 2-1 and was replaced by Donaldson before half-time.

The half-back partner of O’Connor will be another veteran, Nic White, who reversed a decision to retire after the Lions series when first choice Jake Gordon was injured.

There is also one change to the bench with Schmidt preferring loose forward Nick Champion de Crespigny to Donaldson.

In making that change among the replacements, Australia have switched from a five-three to six-two split between forwards and backs.

This decision could trigger a change to the five-three split on the South African bench with head coach Rassie Erasmus hinting he might add an additional scrummager at the expense of a back.

There has been speculation that lock RG Snyman could be promoted at the expense of utility back Canan Moodie.

“The group has had a good week of preparation, adjusting pretty well to the time zone and the altitude here in Johannesburg,” said Schmidt.

“There is not many bigger Tests than playing South Africa on their home turf and we know we are going to need to be at our best on Saturday night.”

Australia want to snap a four-match losing streak against the record four-time Rugby World Cup winners since winning a 2022 Rugby Championship match in Adelaide.

Ellis Park in Johannesburg has not been a happy hunting ground for the Wallabies with 10 losses in 11 matches there. The sole victory came in 1963.

The other first round match, between Argentina and nine-time Rugby Championship winners New Zealand in Cordoba, will be played later on Saturday.

South Africa have won the annual southern hemisphere competition twice and Australia once.

The match in Johannesburg will be followed by another between the countries on August 23 at Cape Town Stadium.

Team (15-1)

Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Dylan Pietsch; James O’Connor, Nic White; Harry Wilson (capt), Fraser McReight, Tom Hooper; Will Skelton, Nick Frost; Taniela Tupou, Billy Pollard, James Slipper

Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Bell, Zane Nonggorr, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Tate McDermott, Andrew Kellaway