Wallabies player ratings vs South Africa | 2025 Rugby Championship

Wallabies player ratings: After what was a sensational comeback in round one, the Wallabies couldn’t carry it on in Cape Town, falling to a 30–22 defeat to the Springboks.

With Tom Wright and Nic White forced off early, the Wallabies tried to counter South Africa’s kicking game but too many errors proved costly.

1. Tom Robertson – 5
Solid at scrum time but offered little with ball in hand. A quiet evening in Cape Town.

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2. Billy Pollard – 6
One missed lineout throw aside, Pollard was one of Australia’s most resolute tacklers and applied pressure whenever called on in defence.

3. Taniela Tupou – 6
Strong early with good off-the-ball work but three missed tackles hurt, one directly preceding Kwagga Smith’s try. Held Ox Nché well at scrum time.

4. Nick Frost – 4
Busy contesting the lineout but otherwise unconvincing, missing two of his four tackle attempts.

5. Will Skelton – 7
Not flashy but hugely effective, disrupting Marx at the lineout and forcing Bok errors. His leadership held the Wallabies pack together well into the closing stages.

6. Tom Hooper – 5
Strong at times in the ruck battle but failed to dent the defence as a carrier. One late line break aside, he made little ground with seven carries.

7. Fraser McReight – 7
Australia’s new skipper delivered with 18 tackles and a turnover, leading from the front. His work at the breakdown and in defence kept his side alive even when the Boks had momentum.

8. Rob Valetini – 6
Brought trademark physicality on his return and punched holes in the Bok defence, though his lack of back-of-scrum pace was noticeable compared with Harry Wilson.

9. Nic White – 7
Forced off early but still managed a neat assist for Toole’s debut try. Showed flashes of the guile that’s defined his career.

10. James O’Connor – 6
Controlled the tempo and sparked attacking phases but three missed shots at goal proved decisive. His composure in general play kept Australia organised.

11. Corey Toole – 7
Scored on debut after reading White’s grubber perfectly. Also competed bravely in the air against the Bok kicking game.

12. Len Ikitau – 5
Three missed tackles, including one leading to a Bok try, and quiet with ball in hand. Showed glimpses in close-range carries but struggled for space.

13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii – 5
Coughed up penalties that led to six Bok points and was outplayed by De Allende. Offered little before being replaced by Tane Edmed.

14. Max Jorgensen – 7
Produced flashes of class, including an offload for McReight’s disallowed try, and scored one himself. But struggled badly under Pollard’s high balls.

15. Tom Wright – N/A
Lasted barely five minutes before injury forced him off.

REPLACEMENTS

16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa – 6
Scored a try and kept the lineout functioning.

17. Angus Bell – 6
Made an impact again in the loose.

18. Zane Nonggorr – 4
Couldn’t match Tupou’s solidity.

19. Jeremy Williams – 5
Some effort around the park but little influence.

20. Nick Champion de Crespigny – N/A
Not on long enough.

21. Tate McDermott – 7
Injected tempo after White’s exit and sparked several counterattacks.

22. Tane Edmed – 6
Combined neatly with O’Connor, kicking well and organising the defence.

23. Andrew Kellaway – 3
On early for Wright but endured a nightmare, with errors that cost his side momentum.