The Springboks are set for a Sunday showdown with the Wallabies at Optus Stadium in Perth, with both teams naming their line-ups for the one-off Test.
South Africa have selected a new-look starting XV for the clash, with Andre Esterhuizen set to captain the team. Australia, meanwhile, have included Harry Potter among their replacements and will use a six-forwards, two-backs split on the bench.
The Springboks travelled from Terrigal, north of Sydney, to Perth on Thursday before beginning their final preparations for the match.
After a rest day on Friday, the team will complete preparations with their captain’s run on Saturday.
When is Springboks vs Wallabies?
The Test takes place on Sunday, 27 September 2026, at Optus Stadium in Perth.
Kick-off is scheduled for 11:45 SAST, with the match available live on SuperSport.
Italian referee Andrea Piardi will take charge, assisted by New Zealanders Ben O’Keeffe and James Doleman.
Italy’s Matteo Liperini will serve as TMO, while New Zealand’s Richard Kelly will be the Foul Play Review Officer.
Springboks name new-look starting XV
Esterhuizen will officially become the 68th Springbok captain when he leads South Africa onto the field.
The midfield pairing will see Esterhuizen link up with Canan Moodie, while Handre Pollard starts at flyhalf and Herschel Jantjies at scrumhalf.
Aphelele Fassi starts at fullback, with Edwill van der Merwe and Ethan Hooker completing the back three.
The forward pack features experienced lock Eben Etzebeth, who will extend his record as South Africa’s most-capped player to 147 Test appearances.
Jasper Wiese is among the replacements and is set to earn his 50th Test cap.
Malcolm Marx is also closing in on a significant milestone, needing six more appearances after this match to reach 100 Test caps.
Wallabies bring experience and attacking options
Australia will be captained by Harry Wilson from No. 8.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii starts on the wing, with Len Ikitau and Hunter Paisami in midfield. Tom Wright retains the fullback position, while Ben Donaldson and Ryan Lonergan form the halfback combination.
The Wallabies’ bench includes Harry Potter and Tate McDermott as the two backline replacements, alongside six forwards.
Springboks vs Australia: head-to-head
South Africa and Australia have met 97 times in Test rugby.
The Springboks have recorded:
- 53 wins
- 41 defeats
- 3 draws
- 1,975 points scored
- 1,732 points conceded
- 233 tries scored
- 180 tries conceded
South Africa’s biggest victory came in 2008, when they defeated Australia 53-8 in Johannesburg.
The Springboks have won five of their last six Tests against Australia since September 2022. Their only defeat during that period came in a 38-22 loss in Johannesburg during last year’s Rugby Championship.
Perth record evenly matched
The Springboks and Wallabies have faced each other 10 times in Perth.
Each team has won four of those encounters, with the remaining two matches ending in draws.
South Africa’s most recent Perth meeting came in 2024, when the Springboks recorded a 30-12 victory.
Springboks vs Wallabies teams
South Africa
15 Aphelele Fassi
14 Edwill van der Merwe
13 Canan Moodie
12 Andre Esterhuizen (captain)
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: Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, Wilco Louw, Lood de Jager, Jasper Wiese, Morne van den Berg, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Quan Horn.
Australia
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 (captain)
7 Fraser McReight
6 Rob Valetini
5 Jeremy Williams
4 Josh Canham
3 Allan Alaalatoa
2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa
1 Angus Bell
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Aidan Ross, Taniela Tupou, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Tom Hooper, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Harry Potter.
Match details
Date: Sunday, 27 September 2026
Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 11:45 SAST
Broadcast: SuperSport
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe and James Doleman
TMO: Matteo Liperini
Foul Play Review Officer: Richard Kelly
