South Africa have completely reshaped their starting fifteen for the upcoming one‑off Test against the Wallabies in Perth, introducing a total of thirteen new faces. Only two players – lock Eben Etzebeth and winger Ethan Hooker – have retained their starting positions from the side that defeated New Zealand 43‑28 in Baltimore, clinching a 3‑1 series win in the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry competition. Etzebeth, who will now chalk up his 147th cap, extends his record as the most‑capped Springbok ever, a milestone that underscores his longevity and leadership in the pack.
In the front row, the coaching staff have paired rookie prop Jan‑Hendrik Wessels with fellow newcomer Zachary Porthen, while hooker Johan Grobbelaar will take his turn at the number 2 jersey, giving the Springboks a fresh and dynamic front‑row combination. The back‑line also sees a notable reshuffle.
Two‑time World Cup champion fly‑half Handre Pollard has recovered from a calf injury and is set to link up with a fit‑again scrum‑half Herschel Jantjies, forming a new halves partnership that the coaching team hopes will bring creativity and stability to the attacking platform. Centre Andre Esterhuizen has been handed the captaincy, becoming the 68th player to lead South Africa at senior level, a role that reflects both his experience and his standing within the squad. Lock Franco Mostert makes his first Test appearance since the November encounter with Wales, adding depth to the second‑row. Despite the extensive turnover, only three of 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 promising newcomers is intended to give the Springboks a versatile toolkit against a Wallaby side that has shown a different style of play compared with the All Blacks. "Australia presents a completely different kind of threat to New Zealand in terms of tactics and physicality, so we believe these particular combinations will be best suited for the challenge we will face against them," South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus explained. 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. "This is going to be a big challenge against a team that has been playing good rugby," Erasmus said, emphasizing the need for a tailored approach.
Erasmus also confirmed that veteran stalwarts Pieter‑Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende will be rested and sent home to spend time with their families after a demanding season. "They have carried a heavy workload over the past few months, and they deserve a break," the coach noted, highlighting the importance of player welfare and recovery. On the Australian side, head coach Les Kiss is expected to announce his squad on Friday.
Rumour mills suggest that centre Joseph Suaalii, the dynamic play‑maker who has been in scintillating form for the NRL, could be named to start on the wing, adding further intrigue to the contest. The South African starting XV 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 kickoff at 10:45 am local time.
It will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+, offering fans around the world a chance to watch the two rugby powerhouses clash in what promises to be a tightly contested encounter. Both coaches have stressed the importance of adapting strategies to the opponent’s style, and the sheer number of changes on the Springbok side suggests that Erasmus is keen to experiment with new combinations while still relying on the experience of his most capped players. In summary, the Springboks are entering the Perth Test with a heavily altered lineup, mixing fresh talent with seasoned campaigners, aiming to counter the distinct threats posed by the Wallabies. The decisions made by Erasmus – from resting senior veterans to promoting emerging stars – will be scrutinised closely as the match unfolds, and the outcome could set the tone for South Africa’s future engagements in the international calendar.