South Africa have completely reshaped 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 – remain in the same roles they occupied when the Springboks secured a 43‑28 victory over the All Blacks in Baltimore, clinching the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series with a 3‑1 win.
Etzebeth, who will take the field at lock, is set to extend his own record as the most‑capped Springbok ever, moving onto his 147th Test appearance. In the front row, the coaching staff have paired prop Jan‑Hendrik Wessels with newcomer Zachary Porthen, while hooker Johan Grobbelaar will complete a brand‑new front‑row combination. The half‑back department sees a return to action for two‑time World Cup winner Handre Pollard, who has recovered from a calf injury and will partner with scrum‑half Herschel Jantjies, who is back to full fitness.
The Springboks have also appointed centre Andre Esterhuizen as captain for the match, making him the 68th player to lead South Africa at Test level. Lock Franco Mostert, who has not featured in a Test since the November clash with Wales, will line up in the second row, adding experience to a relatively youthful pack.
Despite the sheer volume of alterations, 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 majority of the side are seasoned internationals, which reflects coach Rassie Erasmus’s desire to blend fresh talent with established performers. "Australia presents a completely different style of threat compared with New Zealand, and we believe these particular combinations will be best suited to the challenges they pose," Erasmus explained in a pre‑match briefing.
He added that the Wallabies have been playing attractive rugby of late, winning four of their previous five encounters and drawing only once – a stalemate against the Pumas in Argentina. Erasmus also confirmed that veteran duo Pieter‑Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende will be rested for the Perth fixture, allowing them to return home and spend valuable time with their families after a demanding few months of international duty. "They have carried a heavy workload recently and absolutely deserve a break," the South African head coach said. 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 handed a starting berth on the wing, highlighting the Wallabies’ intent to field a balanced and attacking formation. The confirmed Springbok 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: 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 a.m.
local time. It will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+, offering fans around the world a chance to watch the Springboks take on the Wallabies in what promises to be a high‑stakes encounter.
Both sides will be eager to prove their mettle: South Africa looking to cement their dominance after a strong showing against New Zealand, and Australia aiming to bounce back after a solid run of form. Erasmus’s extensive reshuffle underscores his strategic approach – he is not merely reacting to injuries or fatigue, but actively tailoring his squad to counter the specific tactical patterns that the Wallabies employ. By injecting new blood into the forward pack and granting opportunities to emerging backs, he hopes to keep the Springboks unpredictable and adaptable.
At the same time, retaining core figures such as Etzebeth and Hooker ensures a continuity of leadership and experience on the field. For the Wallabies, the challenge will be to exploit any lack of cohesion that may arise from the Springboks’ wholesale changes.
Their recent form, highlighted by a string of victories and a resilient draw against the Pumas, suggests they have built momentum and confidence. If Joseph Suaalii indeed starts on the wing, his pace and footwork could test the South African defensive line, especially against the relatively untested back‑row. Overall, the Perth Test is shaping up to be a fascinating clash of styles and strategies.
South Africa’s blend of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers will be put to the test against an Australian side that has shown both consistency and flair in recent weeks. The outcome could have significant implications for both teams’ rankings and morale as they look ahead to future international fixtures.