Joe Schmidt sticks to winning formula as Wallabies eye historic double over Springboks

Despite the numerous changes the Springboks have made, the Wallabies believe they remain a dangerous side ahead of their second Rugby Championship match in Cape Town on Saturday.

While his counterpart Rassie Erasmus made 10 changes to the Bok starting team for the deciding clash at DHL Stadium (5.10pm kick-off), Australian head coach Joe Schmidt made minimal adjustments to the team that beat their hosts last weekend.

Following that 38–22 victory, Schmidt was forced to replace captain and No 8 Harry Wilson with Rob Valetini. Debutant winger Corey Toole comes in for Dylan Pietsch, who suffered a fractured jaw, while Tom Robertson takes the loosehead jersey in place of the concussed James Slipper.

With the Boks expected to return to an aerial and forward-dominated game plan, it will be a massive test for both Toole and Robertson. Valetini's physicality will also be crucial in what could be a wet and muddy affair in the Mother City.

“Corey is a great young kid. He’s come in from the Sevens programme, which is something several of the South African speedsters have done,” Schmidt said.

“He’s adapting well to the game, and this will be a steep learning curve for him. You want to grow their game and get them comfortable transitioning from Sevens to Fifteens. There’s a lot less space to move in, and you must become proficient around the contact area. He has worked hard at that.”

According to Schmidt, they expect a fierce aerial battle, and he highlighted that as another strength of Toole’s game. He wants to see his side perform better when it comes to competing for high kicks.

On the inclusion of Valetini, the Aussie coach admitted it wasn’t ideal to lose his regular captain, but he is eager to see what the No 8 can bring to the team. Although Valetini has only played about 40 minutes for the Wallabies this season, Schmidt felt it was better to start him and see how he performs, rather than bringing him off the bench.

Prolific poacher Fraser McReight will captain the side in the No 7 jersey.

Despite their dominant win, the Aussies are preparing for another bruising encounter. If they secure victory, it will be the first time in 62 years that they’ve beaten the Springboks in back-to-back Tests in South Africa. The Aussies would also reclaim the Nelson Mandela Plate.

Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Akuso Suaalii, 12 Len Iketau, 11 Corey Toole, 10 James O'Connor, 9 Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight (captain), 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 Tom Robertson.

Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Andrew Kellaway.