Scrumhalf Nic White has put his retirement on ice to join Australia's Rugby Championship squad for the tour of South Africa following an injury to regular number nine Jake Gordon.

Radiohead’s lyrics, ‘he buzzes like a fridge; he’s like a detuned radio’, could be Wallaby scrumhalf Nic White’s motto. He has made a career of being an irritant, and he will give it a go for a few more weeks at least.

Veteran Wallabies scrum-half Nic White announced his retirement Thursday, with the 35-year-old saying it was the right time to pass the baton to a younger generation. "It feels like the right time to pass on the baton with some more good young players coming through who will need time in the saddle leading into what's going to be an unbelievable experience of a home Rugby World Cup in 2027.

In a departure from tradition, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt not only factored in a player’s retirement to selection plans, he hopes it will lift his side emotionally against the Lions.

Veteran Wallabies halfback Nic White says it’s the “right time” for him to retire from Test rugby. White, 35, has announced that Australia’s clash with the British and Irish Lions on Saturday night in Sydney, where he will start, will be his final Test.

Veteran scrum-half Nic White's retirement lasted barely a week after he was named Thursday in an injury-depleted Wallabies squad

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has confirmed his 35-player squad for their back-to-back Rugby Championship matches against the all-conquering Springboks in South Africa.