Only lock Eben Etzebeth and winger Ethan Hooker will retain their starting roles from the Springboks’ 43‑28 victory over the All Blacks in Baltimore, a win that secured a 3‑1 series triumph in the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
Etzebeth is set to extend his record as the most‑capped Springbok of all time to 147 Test matches when he lines up against the Wallabies.
The new front row will feature props Jan‑Hendrik Wessels and Zachary Porthen alongside hooker Johan Grobbelaar, while two‑time World Cup‑winning fly‑half Handre Pollard returns from a calf injury to partner fit‑again scrum‑half Herschel Jantjies in the halves.
Centre Andre Esterhuizen has been appointed captain, becoming South Africa’s 68th test skipper, and lock Franco Mostert will make his first appearance since the November test against Wales.
Despite the wholesale changes, only three members of the starting XV – winger Edwill van der Merwe, lock Paul de Villiers and prop Zachary Porthen – have fewer than ten Test caps.
Coach Rassie Erasmus said the overhaul reflects the different style of play posed by Australia, adding that the Wallabies have won four of their last five matches and drawn with the Pumas in Argentina.
Erasmus also confirmed that veteran duo Pieter‑Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende were sent home to spend time with family after a heavy workload in recent months.
Australia’s head coach Les Kiss is expected to announce his side on Friday, with reports that rising star Joseph Suaalii will start on the wing.
The match is scheduled for Sunday, 27 September, at 10:45 a.m. local time in Perth and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+.