Wallabies name 25-man squad for South Africa Tour

Australian Wallabies Coach John Connolly has named a twenty-five man squad to tour South Africa for Australia’s final Tri-Nations match against the Springboks at Ellis Park on September 9.

The squad will assemble in Sydney next Tuesday (August 29) for a three day camp before departing for Johannesburg on Friday (September 1).

Connolly has opted to rest prop Greg Holmes, who will stay behind to begin preparations for the November Spring Tour after starting in each of the Wallabies’ eight Tests this season.

Holmes’ place in the touring squad has been taken by 22-year-old Waratahs prop Benn Robinson, while new Western Force recruit Drew Mitchell and Brumbies prop Guy Shepherdson rejoin the squad after missing out on the Bledisloe Cup Tour to Auckland.

Connolly said Holmes would remain in Australia to commence a tailored training program.

“By resting Greg from the Test we will be able to give him an early start on a training program and provide an opportunity for Benn Robinson to compete for a place in the team,” said Connolly.

“The front row selections have been very close this year and we’ve been very conscious of broadening our squad ahead of the World Cup,” he said.

The Wallabies will spend the week in Johannesburg preparing for the match at Ellis Park on Saturday September 9.

“We’ve only won two Tests in South Africa since they came back into Test Rugby (in 1992) so we have an enormous challenge ahead of us,” said Connolly.

“The players are very keen to end the Tri Nations on a positive note and build towards the end of year tour with a win in South Africa.”

Wallabies Squad for South Africa Tour (September 1-10)

George Gregan (c), Al Baxter, Rodney Blake, Mark Chisholm, Rocky Elsom, Scott Fava, Mark Gerrard, Matt Giteau, Stephen Larkham, Chris Latham, Tai McIsaac, Drew Mitchell, Stirling Mortlock (vc), Wycliff Palu, Jeremy Paul, Clyde Rathbone, Benn Robinson, Mat Rogers, Nathan Sharpe, Brett Sheehan, Cameron Shepherd, Guy Shepherdson, George Smith, Dan Vickerman (vc), Phil Waugh.