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73-Test prop Taniela Tupou believes the upcoming clash with the Springboks in Perth will be an important blow for the side, having defended twice Rugby World Cup winners continue to set the standard with their line-up.
Tupou started at tight end as the Wallabies cruised to a memorable win at Johannesburg’s Emirates Airline Park 13 months ago, before the visitors went down 30-22 in Cape Town the following weekend.
But the Springboks have lost just two Tests since then, now coming off a historic 3-1 series win over All black people in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry. Since then they have traveled from Baltimore in the United States to the east coast of Australia.
The Springboks have dominated their rivalry with the Wallabies since September 2012, losing just eight of the 22 Tests played between the sides. That includes a 5-1 run dating back four years as the Boks continue to build towards the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Tupou and the Wallabies are currently on a five-match unbeaten run, which includes a run of three straight wins and a draw under coach Les Kiss. But as the world-renowned forward explained, the Springboks represent an important test.
“We’ve been working hard. We know what’s coming. We all know they’re the best in the world at the set-piece, at the scrum,” Tupou told reporters in Perth.
“This week is a good challenge for us to test ourselves and see where we are as a group, so I’m looking forward to that.
“We’ve been working … we know what the Springboks can do in scrums. We’ve been working hard on that and I’m looking forward to the game.”
Assistant coach Tom Donnelly has acknowledged the growth of the Wallabies in the early stages, after going from a team that “struggled” at the time of the 2025 Autumn Nations Series to one that has genuine depth.
Josh Canham did not start for the national team before July’s international competition, but the lock has become a leading player in the line this season. Jeremy Williams, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Lachlan Shaw and Miles Amatosero also earned selection this year.
Competition for places, as Donnelly explained, “brings the best out of players”.
“Especially at the end of last year, our lineup struggled a little bit up north, so we had a real focus on some of our fundamentals around that when we first came into camp,” the coach said.
“I think we’re growing every week and the players are very clear on the expectations I have for what we need to make sure we can be precise around our set pieces.”
