Wallabies coach Les Kiss has made a bold positional call ahead of Sunday's Test against South Africa in Perth, shifting star back Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to the wing in a backline reshuffle designed to counter the Springboks' aerial kicking game.
It marks the first time the 23-year-old has started a Test anywhere other than outside centre since making the switch to rugby union in late 2024. Suaalii has occupied the No.13 jersey in 22 of his 24 Tests, with his only previous outing on the wing coming mid-game against Japan in Osaka last month.
New Backline Combination for Suaalii's Wing Debut
The positional shift triggers a chain of changes across the Wallabies' backline. Hunter Paisami comes in at inside centre, while Len Ikitau returns to outside centre — the position he occupied before Suaalii's arrival in the squad. Ikitau has been in outstanding form at No.13, winning the John Eales Medal in 2025 as the top player of the Australian season, yet debate about where Suaalii fits best has continued.
Paisami's strong showings against Japan and Argentina — during a period when Ikitau was sidelined through injury — played a significant role in Kiss's thinking. Ben Donaldson is set to retain the No.10 jersey, with Carter Gordon ruled out after suffering a broken leg.
Kiss is also expected to name a 6-2 forward-to-back bench split, a direct tactical response to the Springboks' renowned "bomb squad" rotation of forwards off the bench. Tom Hooper is set to return to the bench.
Aerial Threat the Key Factor in Kiss's Decision
According to sources close to the selection, Suaalii's exceptional abilities under the high ball are central to the positional switch. South Africa are well known for using a contested kicking strategy to win possession and establish territorial dominance — and their wingers are typically strong in the air. Kiss is banking on Suaalii's athleticism and leap being a powerful counter to that weapon.
It is understood the move reflects Kiss's desire to get the most from Suaalii's physical attributes while also finding a more settled combination in the midfield — a challenge that has defined much of his tenure as Wallabies coach.
Erasmus Rolls the Dice with Heavily Rotated Springboks Side
South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has made sweeping changes of his own, naming a heavily rotated squad with just winger Ethan Hooker and lock Eben Etzebeth retained as starters from the team that defeated New Zealand in Baltimore in the final match of their four-Test series.
The Springboks' starting front row of Zachary Porthen, Johan Grobbelaar and Jan-Hendrik Wessels is relatively inexperienced at Test level, though South Africa have countered that with an experienced bench that includes hooker Malcolm Marx and loosehead prop Ox Nche. Captain Siya Kolisi has been left out of the squad entirely.
Erasmus was candid about his motivations, saying the time had come to give fringe players a genuine opportunity. "Sometimes you have to roll the dice," he said. "If we keep on doing that [picking the same team], how would we know when we get to the Nations Championship at the end of the year or at the World Cup next year, what can the next guy do?"
The Springboks coach expressed confidence the less-experienced starters would rise to the occasion. "I can tell you that they're really hungry, they really want to play, and they've been idling for a hell of a long time," Erasmus said. "We know they'll be up for this match, licking their lips and trying to sink their teeth into us."
The Test kicks off in Perth on Sunday.
