Carter Gordon fractures fibula and faces two months out ahead of Springboks clash

Carter Gordon has been ruled out for up to two months after the Wallabies confirmed the fly-half fractured his fibula during Saturday’s 28-all draw with Argentina at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza, a significant setback ahead of Australia’s Test against South Africa on 27 September.

Gordon, who has now earned 13 Test caps, started the first match of the Argentina series in Jujuy before moving to the bench for the second fixture. He came on as a replacement but was forced off with around 11 minutes remaining. Head coach Les Kiss told reporters post-match that he hoped Gordon would receive scans on the lower leg injury within hours of the final whistle.

The Wallabies subsequently confirmed the fracture on social media, adding that Gordon had already returned to Australia to begin his recovery. While no official timeline has been provided by the union, Nine’s World of Sports reported the injury is expected to sideline him for up to two months.

The timing is particularly difficult for Gordon, who is also set to marry long-term partner Abbey Lewis in the days following the Argentina tour. It is also the latest in a string of injury interruptions for the 10, who has only completed more than 60 minutes once for the Wallabies since crossing from the NRL last year. He previously missed time after picking up injuries against Italy in November and Ireland earlier this season.

Despite the setback, Kiss’s side leave Argentina with their unbeaten run intact. The Wallabies won the opening Test 27-21 — their first-ever series win on Argentine soil was within reach — before the draw in Mendoza denied them that historic clean sweep. Kiss now holds a record of three wins and one draw from his matches in charge, covering Tests against Japan and Argentina.

“We know that we’re playing the number one nation in the world,” Kiss said after the draw. “We’re going to have to make sure we get some things better to be able to front up against the Springboks. It will be tough, but I’m pretty sure the boys will be up for the fight.”

Australia have approximately three weeks to prepare for the Springboks, the two-time defending Rugby World Cup champions, at Perth’s Optus Stadium. The Wallabies won one of their last two meetings with South Africa, including a notable victory in Johannesburg in August 2025.