Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper says their Rugby Championship clash with South Africa will provide a gauge of their progress ahead of this year’s Rugby World Cup.

After a dismal 2018, where they only managed four wins from 13 Tests, the Wallabies are looking to get themselves on track for a big showing in Japan with a win in Johannesburg.

They only have five Tests before the World Cup kicks off and Hooper said a victory over the Springboks would set themselves up to build some momentum.

“It’s an away game, and you get to look at what you’ve been doing for the last couple of weeks so it validates the stuff you’ve been trying,” Hooper said after their captain’s run at Ellis Park.

“We do want to build momentum,and we’ve been committed to the way we’ve been trying to play at training and it’s been tough to train that way against people that know your own moves.

“The good thing about getting into the game and the momentum you speak about is you get to try those against another team and it sets you up for games in the coming weeks and gives you a bit to review as well, which is nice.”

Fijian-born No.8 Isi Naisarani will make his Wallabies debut against the Boks after finally qualifying via residency in April.

Naisarani is set to form an untried backrow combination with Hooper and Reds enforcer Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.

The 24-year-old was one of the Melbourne Rebels’ most consistent performers during the Super Rugby, winning their Players’ Player gong.

Having taken on Naisarani during recent seasons, Hooper was happy to have him in the line-up.

“He is a tough, tough customer,” Hooper said.

“He’s been wanting to be in this jersey for a long time, so it’s a great reward for someone who’s put in a lot of years of waiting in the ranks to get an opportunity.

“He gets a great opportunity to come here and play in historically, such a proud position for the Wallabies in No.8.

“I’m excited to be playing with him as opposed to against him.”

Hooper said the three weeks the trio had spent honing their connection gave him confidence they would work well against the Boks.

“We’ve had quite a bit of time now to work on it,” he added.

“Just from the outset, we’ve had a good balance of mobility and some good ball carriers and guys who want to get their hands on the opposition in defence.”