Kiss leaves Ikitau injury status unclear after Wallabies survive Springboks fightback

Wallabies coach Les Kiss admitted he has no firm answer on Len Ikitau’s ankle injury after Australia survived a dramatic late collapse to defeat the Springboks 42-38 in their Rugby Championship Test. Ikitau hobbled off in the second half having already scored two tries, leaving his availability for next month’s Bledisloe Cup Tests against the All Blacks in doubt.

“It’s just an ankle,” Kiss told reporters post-match, before conceding: “We don’t know anything further other than we’ve just got to be very precautionary with it now and just see where it is.”

Ikitau had been the standout performer in the first half, crossing twice in three minutes as the Wallabies built a 24-17 lead at the break. Ryan Lonergan extended that advantage with two penalty goals after the interval, and tries from Harry Wilson and Max Jorgensen pushed Australia’s lead to 25 points with fewer than 15 minutes remaining.

What followed was, by Kiss’s own description, a “bizarre” finish. Wilson, Lonergan, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Hunter Paisami were all shown yellow cards in quick succession, allowing the Springboks to claw their way back to within four points before the Wallabies held on.

Paisami’s evening ended on an even more uncertain note, with SANZAAR confirming he has been cited for an incident in the 76th minute. A further disciplinary update is expected on Wednesday.

With Ikitau under an injury cloud and Paisami facing a potential ban, Australia’s centre pairing ahead of the Bledisloe Cup is suddenly far from settled. Suaalii, who started on the wing against South Africa before shifting to the midfield following Ikitau’s departure, is the most likely candidate to fill the 13 jersey — a position he has occupied for the majority of his Test career.

Kiss was encouraged by what he saw from his back three despite the late drama. “Joe did his bit, didn’t he? And then we moved him to 13 which is a great thing we’re trying to work on,” he said. “I thought Wright — that’s his best game he’s had for four or five games now and he was imperious at times. Jorgo is Jorgo. That boy just knows one way to set his mindset. Nothing seems to faze the boy.”

Suaalii had set the tone early, rising to claim the opening kick-off, and his link-up play with Jorgensen and Tom Wright drew widespread praise despite the chaotic closing stages.