Corey Toole – the fastest man in Australian rugby with a strike rate to match Israel Folau’s – could make his long-awaited debut for the Wallabies in Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash with the Springboks in Cape Town.

The 25-year-old winger comes into the squad after Dylan Pietsch underwent surgery on a fractured jaw, sustained in a collision with Siya Kolisi. It remains to be seen whether coach Joe Schmidt gives Toole a start or names him on the bench when he releases his team on Thursday. Andrew Kellaway is also in contention for that vacant winger position.

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Toole’s call-up follows three years of persistence and a standout Super Rugby season, where he scored 11 tries to take his career tally to 28 in 43 matches for the Brumbies. His strike rate of 0.65 tries per game equals Folau’s, who set the Australian Super Rugby benchmark with 60 tries in 92 outings.

Named World Rugby Sevens Rookie of the Year in 2022, Toole’s explosive pace – clocked at 10.2 metres per second – made him an instant hit in the 15-a-side game. While Max Jorgensen was catapulted into last year’s World Cup squad, Toole kept producing for the Brumbies, improving his aerial work and defence to force Schmidt’s hand.

“Some of those small guys like Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheslin Kolbe are incredibly powerful and quick and experienced,” said Schmidt.

“Corey really hasn’t had that much experience. He’s come from the sevens program, had a season with the Brumbies and is still learning the XVs game. We’re trying to fast-track him … he is very fast.”

Schmidt originally backed Toole to chase Olympic glory in Paris with the Australian Sevens, but his Super Rugby form made a Test debut inevitable.

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The Wallabies, buoyed by their drought-breaking 38-22 win in Johannesburg last week, are chasing another slice of history. Victory in Cape Town would be their first there in 33 years, and further proof that Schmidt’s side is rediscovering its bite.

Photo: Roger Sedres/Gallo Images