The Wallabies hopes of getting their first win of the Rugby Championship on Saturday night have taken a massive hit with news that David Pocock will miss the match through a neck injury.

Pocock has been inarguably the Wallabies’ best-performed player throughout the Rugby Championship so far, putting in excellent performances despite big losses to the All Blacks in the opening two Tests.

Although there’s good news for the Wallabies in that Israel Folau will return from an ankle injury for this match, Pocock’s absence is bound to make it significantly harder for Australia to beat South Africa.

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Pocock sustained the injury during the second Bledisloe Cup match, two weeks ago at Eden Park.

“You feel it after games and it’s not something you probably want to think too much about,” Pocock said.

“It’ll be sore but hopefully it’s nothing serious.

“It’s something the refs had said they were going to really sort of look at.”

Pete Samu will replace Pocock in the Wallabies’ starting side at No.8.

Wallabies team to play Springboks

1. Scott Sio (47 Tests)

2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (84 Tests)

3. Allan Alaalatoa (25 Tests)

4. Rory Arnold (15 Tests)

5. Adam Coleman (25 Tests)

6. Lukhan Tui (9 Tests)

7. Michael Hooper (c) (84 Tests)

8. Pete Samu (5 Tests)

9. Will Genia (92 Tests)

10. Kurtley Beale (76 Tests)

11. Marika Koroibete (13 Tests)

12. Matt Toomua (35 Tests)

13. Reece Hodge (29 Tests)

14. Dane Haylett-Petty (23 Tests)

15. Israel Folau (66 Tests)



Reserves

16. Folau Faingaa (1 Test)

17. Tom Robertson (23 Tests)

18. Taniela Tupou (4 Tests)

19. Izack Rodda (9 Tests)

20. Ned Hanigan (13 Tests)

21. Joe Powell (4 Tests)

22. Bernard Foley (60 Tests)

23. Jack Maddocks (2 Tests)