South Africa have introduced a massive overhaul to their starting fifteen for the upcoming one‑off Test against the Wallabies in Perth, swapping out twelve of the fifteen players who featured in their recent victory over New Zealand. Only two members of the side that secured a 43‑28 win over the All Blacks in Baltimore – lock Eben Etzebeth and wing Ethan Hooker – retain their starting positions, underscoring just how extensive the changes are. Etzebeth, who will now reach an unprecedented 147 caps, continues to extend his record as the most‑capped Springbok in history. His presence at lock provides a familiar anchor for a back‑row that will look markedly different from the one that clinched the inaugural Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series.
Joining him are a pair of fresh faces in the front row: prop Jan‑Hendrik Wessels and newcomer Zachary Porthen, who will partner hooker Johan Grobbelaar to form a brand‑new front‑row unit. The coaching staff have signalled that this combination should give them the solidity they need against the physical Australian pack. In the half‑back department, two‑time World Cup‑winning fly‑half Handre Pollard is back from a calf injury and will be paired with a fully recovered scrum‑half Herschel Jantjies. This new halves partnership is expected to bring a blend of experience and creativity, offering the Springboks a more varied attacking platform.
Pollard’s return also restores a level of tactical kicking that was missing in the previous match, while Jantjies’s quick service should help the backline exploit any gaps in the Australian defence. Andre Esterhuizen has been handed the captaincy for this fixture, becoming the 68th player to lead South Africa at test level. The centre’s appointment reflects the coaching staff’s confidence in his leadership qualities and his ability to marshal the backline under pressure.
Alongside him, lock Franco Mostert makes his first test appearance since the November clash with Wales, adding depth and experience to the second row. Despite the wholesale changes, only three players in the starting fifteen have fewer than ten international caps: winger Edwill van der Merwe, lock Paul de Villiers, and prop Zachary Porthen.
This blend of seasoned veterans and relatively uncapped talent illustrates Erasmus’s willingness to inject fresh energy while still relying on a core of proven performers. 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," he said. Erasmus also highlighted the recent form of the Wallabies, who have won four of their last five matches and drawn with the Pumas in Argentina, emphasizing that the Springboks must be prepared for a high‑intensity encounter.
Erasmus made it clear that veteran duo Pieter‑Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende would be rested and allowed to return home for family time after a heavy workload in the preceding months. "They had a heavy workload in the last few months, and they deserve a break," Erasmus affirmed, indicating a balanced approach to player welfare and squad rotation.
On the Australian side, head coach Les Kiss is expected to announce his lineup on Friday. Rumours suggest that prolific centre Joseph Suaalii will start on the wing, adding further intrigue to the match‑up.
The Wallabies have been praised for their recent performances, and their blend of physicality and skill will test the newly‑assembled Springbok unit. 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 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 a.m. kickoff, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+. Fans are encouraged to use the Chrome browser for the most accessible video player experience.
This one‑off test promises to be a pivotal encounter for both nations, offering South Africa a chance to assess the depth of their squad ahead of future competitions while giving Australia an opportunity to cement their rising momentum against a historically dominant opponent.