South Africa have completely reshaped their starting XV for the upcoming one‑off Test against the Wallabies in Perth, introducing thirteen new faces to the side that will take the field on Sunday. Only two players retain their positions from the victorious squad that beat New Zealand 43‑28 in Baltimore, completing a 3‑1 series win in the inaugural Rugby's Greatest Rivalry competition.
Veteran lock Eben Etzebeth and dynamic winger Ethan Hooker will remain in the starting lineup, while the rest of the team has been turned over to accommodate fresh talent and strategic adjustments. Etzebeth, who is now the most‑capped Springbok in history with 147 Test appearances, will continue to anchor the second row. His experience and leadership are expected to be vital as the Springboks face a very different style of opposition in Australia compared with the All Blacks. In the front row, the coaching staff have paired prop Jan‑Hendrik Wessels with newcomer Zachary Porthen, both of whom will hook up with hooker Johan Grobbelaar to form a brand‑new front‑row unit.
This trio will be tasked with providing a solid platform in the set‑piece, an area where the Springboks have traditionally excelled. The half‑back partnership also sees a notable change. Two‑time World Cup champion fly‑half Handre Pollard has recovered from a calf injury and is set to partner with scrum‑half Herschel Jantjies, who has regained full fitness.
The pairing is intended to bring a blend of creativity and control to the Springboks’ attacking play, giving them the ability to unlock the Wallabies’ defensive line with precision kicking and swift distribution. Centre Andre Esterhuizen has been handed the captaincy for this match, becoming the 68th player to lead South Africa at Test level. His appointment reflects both his on‑field versatility and his reputation as a calm, decisive leader. Esterhuizen will marshal the backline, which also includes the returning lock Franco Mostert, who makes his first appearance since the November test against Wales.
Mostert’s experience in the line‑out and his work rate around the field will be valuable assets against an Australian side that favours fast, expansive rugby. Despite the extensive turnover, 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. This mix of seasoned veterans and relatively inexperienced players underscores Rassie Erasmus’s belief that a fresh combination of talent is better suited to counter the specific threats posed by Australia.
"Australia presents a completely different challenge to New Zealand in terms of how they play, so we think these combinations will give us the best chance to meet that challenge," Erasmus explained. Erasmus also confirmed that senior stalwarts Pieter‑Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende will be rested and sent home to spend time with their families after a demanding stretch of fixtures. "They have carried a heavy workload over the past few months and deserve a break," the coach said, emphasizing the importance of player welfare and long‑term squad management. On the Australian side, head coach Les Kiss is expected to announce his lineup on Friday.
Reports suggest that centre Joseph Suaalii will start on the wing, adding further intrigue to the clash. The Springboks will line up 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 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 a 10:45 am kickoff, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+. This encounter offers a crucial test for Erasmus’s revamped squad, as they aim to prove that the new combinations can deliver a cohesive performance against a Wallaby side that has been in good form, winning four of their last five matches and drawing the remaining fixture against the Pumas in Argentina.
The outcome will not only affect the immediate result but also shape the Springboks’ strategic direction as they look ahead to future international competitions.