Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has made a massive 13 changes to his starting XV for Sunday’s Test against Australia in Perth.
The reshuffle comes after South Africa’s 43-28 victory over New Zealand in Baltimore, where the Springboks secured the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry title.
Only Eben Etzebeth and Ethan Hooker retain their places in the starting lineup from that clash.
The biggest headline is the return of Handre Pollard, who has recovered from the niggle that ruled him out of the match against the All Blacks.
Pollard returns at flyhalf
Pollard will start at flyhalf and form a new halfback partnership with Herschel Jantjies.
The experienced Bulls pivot brings 87 Test caps into the match and will once again be responsible for controlling the Springboks’ attacking shape and kicking game.
The backline will also feature Andre Esterhuizen as captain, with Canan Moodie joining him in midfield.
Aphelele Fassi starts at fullback, while Edwill van der Merwe and Hooker complete the back three.
Major changes among the forwards
Erasmus has also completely reshaped his front row.
Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar and Zachary Porthen will start, with experienced hooker Malcolm Marx and props Ox Nche and Wilco Louw providing cover from the bench.
Etzebeth remains in the second row and will partner Franco Mostert.
The loose forward combination sees Paul de Villiers, Elrigh Louw and Marco van Staden named in the starting XV.
Lood de Jager and Jasper Wiese provide additional forward cover among the replacements.
Nine players involved against All Blacks
Despite the extensive changes, nine players in the matchday 23 also featured in the final Test against New Zealand.
That gives Erasmus the opportunity to rotate his squad while retaining a significant amount of experience within the matchday group.
The replacements also include Morne van den Berg, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Quan Horn, giving the Springboks plenty of versatility among the backs.
Springboks vs Australia: The numbers
South Africa have played Australia 97 times, winning 53 matches, losing 41 and drawing three.
The Springboks have scored 1,975 points against the Wallabies, while conceding 1,732.
Their biggest victory came in 2008 when they defeated Australia 53-8 in Johannesburg, while their highest score against the Wallabies was a 61-22 victory in Pretoria in 1997.
South Africa’s overall win percentage against Australia currently stands at 54.6%.
When do the Springboks play Australia?
The Test takes place in Perth on Sunday, with kick-off scheduled for 11:45 South African time.
The match will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
With 13 changes and Pollard back in the starting lineup, all eyes will be on how quickly this new-look Springbok side settles.
Springbok team to face Australia
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 and Quan Horn.
Can this much-changed Springbok side continue their winning momentum against Australia?
