South Africa have completely reshaped their starting XV for the upcoming one‑off Test against the Wallabies in Perth, introducing a total of thirteen new faces into the match‑day squad. Only two players – lock Eben Etzebeth and winger Ethan Hooker – have retained the positions they held when the Springboks defeated New Zealand 43‑28 in Baltimore, a win that secured a 3‑1 series triumph in the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry competition. Etzebeth, who will take to the field in the second row, is set to extend his own record as the most‑capped Springbok ever, moving onto a staggering 147 Test appearances. His longevity and experience will be a cornerstone for a side that is otherwise undergoing a massive transition.
In the front row, the coaching staff have paired rookie prop Jan‑Hendrik Wessels with the equally inexperienced Zachary Porthen, while veteran hooker Johan Grobbelaar will anchor the middle. This new combination is expected to bring fresh energy to the set‑piece, a crucial area against a traditionally strong Australian pack.
The half‑back partnership also sees a fresh start. Two‑time World Cup champion fly‑half Handre Pollard has recovered from a calf injury and will partner with scrum‑half Herschel Jantjies, who has recently returned to full fitness. Their combined skill set should give the Springboks a more dynamic attacking platform, allowing them to exploit gaps in the Australian defence. Centre Andre Esterhuizen has been handed the captaincy for this match, becoming the 68th player to lead the Springboks.
His leadership will be vital as the team integrates a large number of newcomers and seeks to maintain the high standards set by their recent victories. Lock Franco Mostert, who has not featured in a Test since the November clash with Wales, is also back in the side.
His experience in the line‑out and his work rate around the field will be valuable assets for a side that is otherwise dominated by fresh talent. Despite the sheer volume of changes, only three of the starting fifteen have fewer than ten international caps: winger Edwill van der Merwe, lock Paul de Villiers and prop Zachary Porthen. The rest of the lineup brings a blend of seasoned campaigners and emerging prospects, creating a balanced mix of experience and youthful enthusiasm.
South Africa’s head coach, Rassie Erasmus, explained the rationale behind the overhaul. “Australia presents a completely different set of challenges compared to New Zealand. Their style of play, tactical approach and physicality are distinct, so we have assembled combinations that we believe will be best suited to meet those specific demands,” Erasmus said.
He added that the changes were also a strategic move to test depth ahead of future fixtures, noting that the Springboks must be adaptable in a tightly packed international calendar. Erasmus also confirmed that veteran stalwarts Pieter‑Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende will be rested and sent home early to spend time with their families. “They have shouldered a massive workload over the last few months and deserve a well‑earned break,” the coach remarked, underscoring his commitment to player welfare and long‑term sustainability.
On the Australian side, head coach Les Kiss is expected to announce his lineup on Friday. Rumour mills suggest that centre Joseph Suaalii will be given the nod on the wing, adding further intrigue to the clash.
The Springboks’ starting fifteen will be: 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, 23 Quan Horn.
The match is scheduled for Sunday, 27 September, with kickoff at 10:45 am. It will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+, giving fans worldwide the chance to watch a high‑stakes encounter between two of the Southern Hemisphere’s most storied rugby nations. The Springboks will be looking to build on their recent success and prove that their depth can match the quality of the Wallabies, while Australia will be eager to showcase the form that has seen them win four of their last five outings, the only blemish being a draw against the Pumas in Argentina. Both coaches have emphasized the importance of adaptability and resilience, noting that the modern game demands squads that can rotate without losing cohesion.
As the Springboks step onto the field with a largely new starting unit, the eyes of the rugby world will be on how quickly they can gel and whether Erasmus’s bold selections will pay off against a disciplined Australian side.