Australia vs South Africa preview: Springbok depth to be tested in Perth

For the Springboks, it is the final outing before a six-week break and the end-of-year tour, while the match represents the sternest examination yet for the Wallabies under new coach Les Kiss and a chance to measure themselves against the back-to-back world champions.

Rassie Erasmus has deliberately rotated his squad after a demanding 3-1 series victory over the All Blacks in Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour. Only Eben Etzebeth and Ethan Hooker retain their starting places from the deciding match in Baltimore, with Andre Esterhuizen named captain for the first time.

The Wallabies arrive unbeaten in their last five Tests under Kiss and will be buoyed by a passionate Perth crowd at Optus Stadium.

Date: Sunday, 27 September 2026
Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 11:45 SAST
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)

Team News & Lineups

Springboks

Rassie Erasmus has made 13 changes to the side that beat the All Blacks 43-28 in Baltimore. Several senior players, including Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende, have been rested, and Jasper Wiese is in line for his 50th Test cap off the bench.

Starting XV - 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (c), 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Marco van Staden, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels

Replacements: 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.

Wallabies

Les Kiss has named a strong side featuring Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii's first start on the wing. Hunter Paisami returns to the centres alongside Len Ikitau, while Ryan Lonergan and Ben Donaldson resume their halfback partnership.

The pack sees Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Allan Alaalatoa start, with a 6-2 bench split in anticipation of the Springboks' physical threat off the bench in the second half.

Starting XV - 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Joseph-Aukuso, Suaalii, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Angus Bell

Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Aidan Ross, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Tom Hooper, 21 Carlo Tizzano, 22 Tate McDermott, 23 Harry Potter.

Overall Strategic Matchup

Key Battles

Scrums

South Africa's starting front row of Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar and Zachary Porthen is relatively inexperienced at this level, but offers plenty of power and scrummaging ability. The bench unit of Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche and Wilco Louw is among the best in the world and could devastate the Wallabies later on in the match.

Australia's strong front row of Angus Bell, Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Allan Alaalatoa will need to get on top of the set piece early, as the contest will not get easier for them as the game wears on.

Breakdown Contest

The Wallabies have improved their work at the ruck under Kiss, but their loose trio will be under huge pressure facing up against Elrigh Louw, Paul de Villiers and Marco van Staden.

The Springboks' propensity to put in big hits on defence, tackle attackers backwards and charge into rucks adds another layer of difficulty for Australia trying to secure their own ball. Fraser McReight and Rob Valetini will have their work cut out for them setting up a platform for Donaldson and Ryan Lonergan to flourish.

Territorial Game

The Springboks have shown they are a significant high-ball threat, and Handre Pollard's accuracy with the boot will only make them stronger in this area of the match.

South Africa used contestable kicks effectively against the All Blacks, and Australia's back three of Wright, Jorgensen and Suaalii will have a plan to deal with the onslaught, but the Boks' skill in the air could be too much for them to handle.

Key Positional Matchups

Possession battle

Etzebeth and Franco Mostert bring vast experience at lock for the Boks, with the former being especially crucial in stealing lineouts during Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour. Lineout accuracy, maul defence and work around the park will be critical.

South Africa's ability to steal opposition ball in almost every facet of the game has been a feature of recent performances, and Australia will need to stay focused and on top of their game to secure possession.

De Villiers, Louw and Van Staden provide relentless work rate, strong carrying ability and a threatening breakdown presence. Australia's pack has been a strength under Kiss, but there is no question the match against Springboks will be their biggest challenge so far.

Aerial battle

Pollard's game management, kicking and experience will challenge Australia's desire for tempo and continuity. South Africa will use their back three as both a defensive and territorial weapon, along with Pollard's boot.

Australia's pace and finishing quality, particularly with Suaalii starting on the wing for the first time, make them dangerous if they can securely claim the high ball and transition quickly.

Prediction

The Wallabies' recent form, home advantage and a settled, physical pack make them competitive, and they will believe they can trouble a heavily rotated Springbok side. South Africa, however, possess superior depth, experience in key positions and a proven ability to close out tight contests.

The Springboks thrive in physical, attritional battles, which means Australia will need to start fast and build an early lead if they are to deal with the quality and impact of the Bok bench.

South Africa will look to lean on set-piece power, big collisions and an accurate kicking game. Even with a heavily rotated starting side, the Springboks' identity remains clear: dominate the gain-line, control territory, apply pressure through the aerial contest and finish clinically once inside the opposition 22.

Australia have shown improved structure, forward power and defensive resilience, and they will prioritise continuity, keeping the ball in play, and using width and tempo to stretch the Springboks.

The selection of Suaalii on the wing, alongside Jorgensen and Wright, gives them genuine pace and a finishing threat out wide. The Wallabies' tenacity and ability to stay in the fight by forcing errors have been a hallmark of their resurgence, and they will need to show plenty of fight against a side that thrives in an arm-wrestle.

Home advantage, with a large, vocal crowd at Optus Stadium, will give the Wallabies a much-needed boost, but South Africa's depth and ability to throttle opponents mean they remain significant favourites to win.