'I will go to war for you brother': James O'Connor reportedly set for fairytale comeback in Wallabies No.10 jersey

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is poised to drop yet another selection bombshell with the Sydney Morning Herald reporting that James O'Connor will start in the No.10 jersey against the Springboks on Sunday (AEST).

It was widely assumed that Ben Donaldson would replace Tom Lynagh in the run-on team after the latter was ruled out of the Rugby Championship tour to South Africa with concussion following Dan Sheehan's illegal cleanout.

But O'Connor will instead take the playmaking reins in his first Test since a 2022 loss to Argentina in San Juan. The Roar was first to report the news.

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Schmidt is already without first-choice five-eighth Noah Lolesio while Tane Edmed is also in Johannesburg.

O'Connor was in the squad for the British and Irish Lions series but did not get on the field.

The 35-year-old - who made his Test debut at 18 - helped the Crusaders to a Super Rugby title this year.

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O'Connor outlined his selection case to Schmidt on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast last month.

"If you pick me, I will do a job for you. I will go to war for you brother. That's all I can say, I will put this body on the line," O'Connor said.

Schmidt will name his team on Thursday.

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus named his team on Monday.

"Australia showed that they are on the right trajectory in their last two matches against the British and Irish Lions and we have no doubt they will enter this match with confidence and determined to build on those performances," Erasmus said.

"They are a physical and well coached team, and we'll certainly not underestimate how much those performances, combined with their motivation to bounce back strongly against us after the last few results between the teams, and win their first match ever at Ellis Park, will inspire them."

SPRINGBOKS (15-1): Aphelele Fassi, Edwill van der Merwe, Jesse Kriel, Andre Esterhuizen, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Manie Libbok, Grant Williams, Siya Kolisi (c), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marco van Staden, Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche

Reserves: Bongi Mbonambi, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Franco Mostert, Kwagga Smith, Cobus Reinach, Canan Moodie, Damian Willemse