South Africa have completely reshaped their starting fifteen 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 – have retained their starting positions from the side that defeated the All Blacks 43‑28 in Baltimore, a victory that clinched a 3‑1 series win in the inaugural Rugby's Greatest Rivaly competition.
Etzebeth, who will now line up for his 147th Test, extends his own record as the most‑capped Springbok in history. His longevity and leadership remain a cornerstone for the team, even as the coaching staff embarks on a massive reshuffle. The new front row will feature props Jan‑Hendrik Wessels and Zachary Porthen alongside hooker Johan Grobbelaar, forming a unit that promises a blend of power and mobility.
In the halves, two‑time World Cup champion fly‑half Handre Pollard has recovered from a calf injury and will partner with scrum‑half Herschel Jantjies, who is back to full fitness. This fresh half‑back pairing is expected to inject creativity and tactical nuance into the Springboks' attacking play. Andre Esterhuizen has been handed the captaincy, becoming the 68th player to lead South Africa at test level.
The centre’s appointment underscores his experience and the respect he commands within the camp. Franco Mostert, who has not featured in a test since the November clash with Wales, is also back in the starting XV, adding his renowned line‑out expertise and ball‑carrying ability. Despite the scale of the changes, 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 rest of the roster consists of seasoned campaigners, reflecting Rassie Erasmus’s desire to balance fresh talent with proven performers.
"Australia presents a completely different set of challenges compared with New Zealand, both in style and execution," Erasmus explained. "We believe these combinations give us the best chance to counter the specific threats they pose." He added that the Wallabies have been in good form, winning four of their last five matches, with the only blemish being a draw against the Pumas in Argentina. "It will be a big test against a side that has been playing well," Erasmus said, highlighting the importance of adapting to the Australian game plan. Erasmus also confirmed that veteran stalwarts Pieter‑Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende will be rested and sent home early so they can spend valuable time with their families after a demanding season.
"They have carried a heavy workload over the past few months and deserve a break," the coach noted, emphasizing player welfare as a priority. On the Australian side, head coach Les Kiss is expected to announce his lineup on Friday. Rumours suggest that centre Joseph Suaalii will be given the nod on the wing, adding further intrigue to the fixture.
The Springbok starting XV 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 comprise: 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 local time. It will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+, offering fans worldwide a chance to watch a high‑stakes encounter between two of rugby’s most storied nations.
The game promises to be a showcase of strategic adjustments, youthful exuberance, and the relentless pursuit of victory on a neutral stage in Perth.