South Africa have introduced a sweeping thirteen‑player overhaul to the starting XV for the single Test match they will play against the Wallabies in Perth on Sunday. The only two members of the side that secured a 43‑28 victory over New Zealand in Baltimore – a win that clinched the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series 3‑1 – are lock Eben Etzebeth and wing Ethan Hooker, both of whom retain their places in the new formation.
Etzeboth, who will now hold the record for the most caps earned by a Springbok with 147 Test appearances, continues to anchor the second row. Alongside him, the forward pack has been completely reshaped. Props Jan‑Hendrik Wessels and Zachary Porthen will partner with hooker Johan Grobbelaar to form a fresh front‑row unit, while veteran lock Franco Mostert makes a return to the Test arena after not featuring since the clash with Wales in November of the previous year. In the back‑line, two‑time World Cup champion fly‑half Handre Pollard has recovered from a calf strain and is set to link up with a fit‑again scrum‑half Herschel Jantjies, establishing a new half‑pairing that the coaching staff hope will provide both creativity and stability.
The centre partnership will be led by Andre Esterhuizen, who has been appointed captain for the match, making him the 68th player to wear the Springbok armband. This leadership change comes as the team seeks to adapt to the distinct playing style of the Australian side, which, according to head coach Rassie Erasmus, presents a different kind of threat compared to the All Blacks. Erasmus explained the rationale behind the massive reshuffle: "Australia poses a completely different threat to New Zealand in the way they play, so we believe these combinations would be best suited for the challenge that we will face against them." He added that the Wallabies have been in good form, having won four of their last five matches, with the only blemish being a draw against the Pumas in Argentina.
"This is going to be a big challenge against a team that has been playing good rugby," Erasmus said, emphasizing the need for fresh ideas and renewed energy. Only three of the starters have fewer than ten caps – winger Edwill van der Merwe, lock Paul de Villiers and prop Zachary Porthen – underscoring the blend of experience and emerging talent that Erasmus is banking on. The decision to rest seasoned campaigners Pieter‑Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende was also deliberate; both players have endured a heavy workload over the past months and were granted permission to return home to spend time with their families.
"They had a heavy workload in the last few months, and they deserve a break," Erasmus noted, highlighting the importance of player welfare even in the midst of a demanding international calendar. The announced starting XV reads as follows: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (captain), 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Herschel Jantjies; 1 Marco van Staden, 2 Elrigh Louw, 3 Paul de Villiers, 4 Franco Mostert, 5 Eben Etzebeth, 6 Zachary Porthen, 7 Johan Grobbelaar, 8 Jan‑Hendrik Wessels. The bench includes Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, Wilco Louw, Lood de Jager, Jasper Wiese, Morne van den Berg, Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu and Quan Horn.
On the Australian side, head coach Les Kiss is expected to reveal his lineup on Friday. Rumours suggest that the dynamic centre Joseph Suaalii will be handed a starting berth on the wing, adding further intrigue to what promises to be a high‑octane encounter.
The match is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. local time on Sunday, 27 September, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+. Fans are encouraged to use the Chrome browser for the most accessible video player experience. This one‑off Test not only offers a chance for South Africa to test the new combinations against a quality opponent but also serves as a crucial barometer for the Springboks as they look ahead to future international commitments.
The extensive changes signal Erasmus’s willingness to experiment and adapt, ensuring that the squad remains competitive and resilient in the ever‑evolving landscape of modern rugby.