South Africa have completely reshaped their starting fifteen for the upcoming one‑off Test against the Wallabies in Perth, introducing 13 fresh faces into the match‑day squad. Only two players – lock Eben Etzebeth and winger Ethan Hooker – have retained the positions they held in the side that defeated New Zealand 43‑28 in Baltimore, a victory that clinched the inaugural Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series with a 3‑1 margin. Etzebeth, who will now add his 147th cap to his record, continues to extend his status as the most‑capped Springbok in history. The veteran forward’s experience will be a cornerstone for a back‑row that looks markedly different from the one that toured the United States.
In the front row, the coaching staff have paired prop Jan‑Hendrik Wessels with newcomer Zachary Porthen, while hooker Johan Grobbelaar will anchor the middle. This trio replaces several seasoned players and signals a deliberate shift toward a more dynamic, mobile pack capable of matching the pace of the Australian forwards. The half‑back partnership has also been refreshed. Two‑time World Cup champion fly‑half Handre Pollard, who has been recovering from a calf strain, is back in the starting XV and will link up with scrum‑half Herschel Jantjies, who has regained full fitness.
Their combined vision and tactical awareness should give the Springboks a creative edge in the attacking third. Centre Andre Esterhuizen has been handed the captaincy for the match, making him the 68th player to lead South Africa at Test level.
His appointment reflects both his leadership qualities and the trust placed in him by head coach Rassie Erasmus. Lock Franco Mostert, who has not featured in a Test since the November encounter with Wales, is also back in the side. His return adds depth to the second‑row and provides a familiar presence for Etzebeth in the line‑out. Despite the wholesale changes, only three members of the starting fifteen have fewer than ten international caps: winger Edwill van der Merwe, lock Paul de Villiers and prop Zachary Porthen.
The remaining players bring a blend of experience and recent form, giving Erasmus a balanced mix of youth and seasoned expertise. "Australia presents a completely different set of challenges compared with New Zealand, both in terms of style and tactical approach. We believe the combinations we have selected will be best suited to the specific threats they pose," Erasmus explained in a pre‑match briefing. "Our aim is to field a side that can adapt quickly, maintain a high tempo, and exploit any weaknesses we identify during the game." Erasmus also addressed the decision to allow veteran forwards Pieter‑Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende to return home for family time.
"They have carried a heavy workload over the past few months, and they deserve a well‑earned break. Their contributions have been invaluable, and we will welcome them back when they are ready," he said.
On the Australian side, head coach Les Kiss is expected to announce his lineup on Friday. Rumour mills suggest that the dynamic centre Joseph Suaalii will earn a starting berth on the wing, adding further intrigue to the clash. The confirmed South African 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. The match is scheduled for Sunday, 27 September, with kickoff at 10:45 am local time. It will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+, offering fans around the world a chance to witness what promises to be a tightly contested encounter between two of rugby’s most storied nations.
The Springboks will be looking to translate their recent success against New Zealand into a dominant performance against the Wallabies, while Australia will be eager to prove that their recent run of four wins in five games, capped by a draw against the Pumas in Argentina, has prepared them for the ultimate test against a traditionally powerful South African side.