The Springboks are set to challenge the Wallabies in a standalone Test on Sunday, September 27, at Optus Stadium in Perth.
This one-off Test comes against the backdrop of the Rugby Championship for 2026 being cancelled for the season, writes Sport Just Sport‘s David Awunyoh.
Recent team form
South Africa competed in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand in a four-Test match, winning the series 3-1. The Springboks are expected to make a sudden return as they face the Wallabies on Sunday.
Australia also won their two-Test matches against Argentina, sealing the series by 1-0. This upcoming game marks the first game since the two teams’ recent victories.
Squad news
Springbok’s head coach Rassie Erasmus made 13 changes to his starting lineup.
Confirmed Springbok squad for Perth Test:
15 Aphelele Fassi (Toshiba)
14 Edwill van der Merwe (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
13 Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls)
12 Andre Esterhuizen (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks)
11 Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
10 Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls)
9 Herschel Jantjies (Bayonne)
8 Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls)
7 Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls)
6 Paul de Villiers (DHL Stormers)
5 Franco Mostert (Honda Heat)
4 Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
3 Zachary Porthen (DHL Stormers)
2 Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls)
1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls)
Replacements:
16 Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears)
17 Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
18 Wilco Louw (DHL Stormers)
19 Lood de Jager (Wild Knights)
20 Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks)
21 Morne van den Berg (10bet Lions)
22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers)
23 Quan Horn (10bet Lions)
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Squad update and match expectations
Erasmus shares an update with SA Rugby reporters, stating: “Each player in this squad has been working hard at training over the last few months and have had a chance to play in either the first leg of the Nations Championship or RGR, or both, while guys like Handre and Canan have recovered from injury, and they are all quality players, so we are pleased to give them a run and we are excited to see this team in action.”
“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.”
Erasmus also told SA Rugby Reporters that Andre Esterhuizen shall lead the team for the game: “He captained the Hollywoodbets Sharks, and he has brought so much to our squad off and on the field, both at centre and in the loose trio, and he thoroughly deserves this opportunity.
Pieter-Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende will not feature in Sunday’s game as they will be taking a break.
In a statement released by the Wallabies, they shared an update on injured players, according to Rugby Australia: “Charlie Cale has suffered a shoulder injury in Perth and will return to Canberra to begin his recovery.
“Nick Champion de Crespigny will join the squad in Perth to help prepare for Sunday’s Test against South Africa.”
Match Expectations
Erasmus explains to reporters his expectations for Sunday: “This is going to be a big challenge against a team that has been playing good rugby, and who have won four of their last five matches, with their other result being a draw against the Pumas in Argentina.
“They are going to throw everything at us…so it will take another big performance from us to get the result.”
Wallabies second-rower Jeremy narrated his expectations to Rugby Australia reporters, saying, “They’ve obviously named quite an experienced team. In the locks they’ve got around 240 caps between them,” Williams said.
“They’ve got quite a lot of experience out in the park.
“I know that we’re backing ourselves in the training that we’re doing this week, and we know that if we go out there and set the tone physicality-wise, we’ll be a good shot.”
Wallabies’ flanker Carlo Tizzano expresses a similar perspective to Rugby Australia: “South Africa are the best team in the world, so what better way to test what we’ve been doing and everything we’ve been working on than doing it against the best?”
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Confirmed Wallabies squad for Perth Test
Forwards (19)
Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Charlie Cale, Josh Canham, Tom Hooper, Isaac Kailea, Fraser McReight, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Billy Pollard, Aidan Ross, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Lachlan Shaw, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson
Backs (15)
Jock Campbell, Ben Donaldson, Isaac Henry, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Declan Meredith, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Kalani Thomas, Tom Wright
Unavailable for selection
Josh Flook, Langi Gleeson, Carter Gordon, Jake Gordon, Dylan Pietsch, Matt Philip, Henry Robertson, Pete Samu, Blake Schoupp, Will Skelton
Significance of the match
Unlike a normal year, this match doesn’t count toward a wider tournament like the Rugby Championship.
However, it still offers a rare chance for fringe players to showcase their abilities and push for Rugby Championship-style selection or bragging rights.
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Simon Wilkes