Flyhalf James O’Connor has been identified as the key for the Wallabies as they look to complete an historic double over the Springboks in South Africa.

The 35-year-old has been hailed for his performance in a gutsy come-from-behind 38-22 win over the Boks at Ellis Park on Saturday, where they scored 38 unanswered points and kept the South Africans scoreless for the last three-quarters of the Test. O’Connor had been recalled to the Australian side after three years in the wilderness, and having last tasted a Test victory in South Africa in 2011.

SCHMIDT: Boks gave us belief

Analysing the Test on The Breakdown, former All Black scrumhalf Justin Marshall said it was a real polished and assured performance from the Wallaby pivot and backs him to do more of the same at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

“When I watched him work his way through that Test match, I watched him figure out exactly how they were going to break down this aggressive, blitz defence the Springboks offered. And he did it really well,” said Marshall.

“He struggled in the first quarter, but then he started to figure it out. He adjusted his depth and engaged the line when he needed to. He knew – because of his experience – where they were going to try and shut them down and he was the architect of finding the space that the Springboks allow you if you can get around that blitz.”

Marshall has however cautioned that despite O’Connor’s form, the Wallabies’ casualty list may hurt them in Cape Town on Saturday.

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Winger Dylan Pietsch sustained a broken jaw from a heavy Siya Kolisi carry at Ellis Park, while veteran prop James Slipper failed his HIA and reported concussion symptoms after the match.

Utility back Ben Donaldson has also returned home with an abductor strain, having missed the Ellis Park Test.

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