Following an impressive win over the Springboks, the Wallabies face a significant challenge as they prepare for their upcoming match in Cape Town without two key players: Dylan Pietsch and James Slipper.
Pietsch has been ruled out due to a broken jaw sustained during the game, while Slipper will not participate after failing a head injury assessment. Both players will return to Australia for further treatment. The injury to Pietsch occurred in the 31st minute as he attempted to tackle South African captain Siya Kolisi, immediately raising concerns when he grasped at his jaw post-collision.
Adding to the team’s woes, squad member Ben Donaldson will also head back to Australia due to an abductor strain that kept him from participating in the first test. In response to these setbacks, the Wallabies have called in replacements: Filipo Daugunu, Rhys van Nek, and Hamish Stewart will join the squad in South Africa.
Additionally, Harry Wilson is undergoing scans after experiencing discomfort and limping off in the second half of the last match, although it has been reported that he is able to move around the hotel unaided.
The Wallabies had hoped to maintain momentum from their Johannesburg triumph with a fully fit team, but these injuries complicate their preparation for the challenging fixture ahead. As they head to Cape Town, the depth of the squad will be put to the test in this pivotal match. More updates are expected as the situation develops.