Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has been recalled to the Wallabies squad as Australia braces for a hugely physical two-Test series against the Springboks in South Africa.

The 41-Test lock was left out of the Lions series but has been drafted into Joe Schmidt’s 35-man group for the first leg of the Rugby Championship, with the Wallabies expecting a colossal forward confrontation against the back-to-back world champions.

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Salakaia-Loto is one of four specialist locks named, alongside French-based enforcer Will Skelton, as Schmidt selects for power to counter the Springboks’ physicality. The 28-year-old forced his way in with standout performances for the AUNZ Invitational XV and First Nations and Pasifika side after a disrupted Super Rugby season.

Your 35 to tour South Africa for the @flightcentreau Rugby Championship 🦘https://t.co/NPBJ98yXHQ#Wallabies pic.twitter.com/SgmKDGApJ4

— Wallabies (@wallabies) August 7, 2025

Also included is fit-again tighthead prop Taniela Tupou, though the talismanic forward will need to pass a final fitness test after injuring his toe during the Lions series win. Schmidt has backed Tupou’s recovery, while Rob Valetini and Nick Champion de Crespigny are also back as strong loose forward options.

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In the backs, Test centurion Nic White has delayed his retirement after Jake Gordon suffered an injury at training. White’s return opens the door for long-time fringe halfback Ryan Lonergan, who is poised for a long-awaited debut at Ellis Park after years in the wings.

Three uncapped players have been named: Lonergan, winger Corey Toole, and loosehead Aidan Ross – a former All Black who recently became Wallaby-eligible.

Playmaker depth has been bolstered by Tane Edmed, who replaces the concussed Tom Lynagh. Edmed joins Ben Donaldson and James O’Connor as flyhalf options, with Donaldson tipped to wear the No 10 jersey in Johannesburg.

The Wallabies will arrive in South Africa as massive underdogs, having last year been thumped by the Boks on home soil. But Schmidt is optimistic about the squad’s growth.

“It’s pleasing to keep the core of the group together,” he said.

“We know how tough it’s going to be on the Highveld, but we’ve made positive strides.”

The Boks – under the direction of serial strategist Rassie Erasmus – represent a far more settled and dangerous threat than the hastily assembled Lions. For Australia, this is more than just the start of the Rugby Championship – it’s a reality check of where they stand against rugby’s most complete machine.

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