Tom Donnelly’s latest comments have instantly raised the stakes ahead of Australia’s clash with the Springboks in Perth. This is not the usual polite build-up about respect and toughness. Donnelly went further, suggesting the Wallabies are about to face something that feels closer to the level they will meet at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. After South Africa’s brutal series win over the All Blacks, his warning makes sense: the world champions bring a relentless intensity that can turn one test match into a full-scale examination.