Harry Johnson-Holmes makes Wallabies debut against South Africa

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Called into action halfway through an $8 schnitzel on Tuesday night, Harry Johnson-Holmes got his first taste of Test rugby on Sunday morning (AEDT) on a night of mixed emotions against South Africa.

The Sydney Uni Football Club star received the late call-up to Johannesburg after a string of injuries and his summoning on the field came in the same fashion when prop James Slipper was forced off with injury.

Not expecting much game time, Johnson-Holmes found himself butting heads with South Africa’s Tendai ”The Beast” Mtawarira in a scrum in the 48th minute.

“A lot of luck was involved in me being in the position of being on the bench but getting on the field was a whole other thing,” Johnson-Holmes told reporters after the game.

“I remember sitting on the bench and thinking to myself: ‘I’ve probably got about 15-20 minutes before I’ve got to start actually thinking about the mental side of jumping onto the field’ but it was a couple of seconds later that I found myself out in the scrum and from there it was a bit of a blur.

“I think it was probably the best way I could’ve asked to get on the field as it’s something that I love and also it’s a lot less running than if it was a lineout or something.

“It was nice to jump on there and get amongst the boys. I suppose as the forward pack welcomed me out when I got there, and it was pretty special.”

A fairytale debut was not in the script however, with the Wallabies falling 35-17 to the Springboks in their first Rugby Championship hit-out in the build up to the World Cup in September.

Johnson-Holmes has his fingers crossed he will earn a recall against Argentina on Saturday in Brisbane.

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