South Africa have completely revamped their starting XV for the upcoming one‑off Test against the Wallabies in Perth, introducing thirteen fresh faces into the squad. Only two players – lock Eben Etzebeth and winger Ethan Hooker – have retained the positions they held in the side that defeated the All Blacks 43‑28 in Baltimore, a victory that clinched the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series with a 3‑1 margin. Etzebeth, who will line up at lock, is set to extend his own record as the most‑capped Springbok of all time, moving onto 147 Test appearances. His longevity and leadership will be a cornerstone for a side that is otherwise undergoing a massive transition.
In the front row, the coaching staff have paired newly‑capped prop Jan‑Hendrik Wessels with fellow debutant Zachary Porthen, while hooker Johan Grobbelaar will complete the unit. This new front‑row combination is expected to bring fresh energy and a different set of scrummaging dynamics compared with the previous lineup. The half‑back pairing also sees a change. Two‑time World Cup‑winning fly‑half Handre Pollard, who has been recovering from a calf injury, is back in the squad and will partner with scrum‑half Herschel Jantjies, who has regained full fitness.
Their combined experience and play‑making ability should give the Springboks a more versatile attacking platform. Andre Esterhuizen has been handed the captaincy for the match, becoming the 68th player to lead South Africa at Test level.
The centre, who also features in the starting XV, will have the added responsibility of guiding a largely unfamiliar backline on the field. Lock Franco Mostert, who has not featured in a Test since the November encounter with Wales, is also back in the mix, providing depth and a physical presence in the second row. Despite the sheer number of changes, only three members of the starting fifteen have fewer than ten caps: winger Edwill van der Merwe, lock Paul de Villiers, and prop Zachary Porthen.
The rest of the squad brings a blend of seasoned veterans and players who have been on the fringes of the national team for some time. South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus explained the rationale behind the overhaul, noting that Australia presents a distinct set of challenges compared with New Zealand. "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," Erasmus said.
He added that the Wallabies have been in good form, winning four of their last five matches and drawing with the Pumas in Argentina, making the upcoming test a formidable contest. Erasmus also confirmed that veteran duo Pieter‑Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende will be rested and sent home to spend time with their families after a demanding few months of international rugby. "They had a heavy workload in the last few months, and they deserve a break," the coach remarked, underscoring the importance of player welfare in his selection decisions.
On the Australian side, head coach Les Kiss is expected to announce his lineup on Friday. Reports suggest that dynamic centre Joseph Suaalii will be given a starting berth on the wing, adding further intrigue to the clash. The Springbok starting fifteen will be 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 will feature: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Jasper Wiese, 21 Morne van den Berg, 22 Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu, and 23 Quan Horn.
The match is scheduled for Sunday, 27 September, with kick‑off at 10:45 a.m. local time. It will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+, giving fans worldwide the chance to watch a high‑stakes encounter between two of the sport’s most storied nations. This test will not only be a showcase of South Africa’s depth and adaptability but also a litmus test for Erasmus’s strategic vision.
By rotating a large portion of the squad, he aims to build a resilient unit capable of handling the rigors of the international calendar while also giving emerging talent a platform to prove themselves on the world stage. The outcome will likely influence selection policies moving forward, especially with the Rugby World Cup on the horizon. For Australian supporters, the game offers a chance to see how their side matches up against a rejuvenated Springbok outfit. With the Wallabies riding a wave of recent success, the contest promises to be tightly contested, physically demanding, and rich in tactical nuance.
Both coaches will be looking to impose their game plans early, and the result could set the tone for the remainder of the season for both nations.