The Springboks are set to face Australia this Sunday, 27 September 2026, at Optus Stadium in Perth, but the match-day 23 is expected to look vastly different from the side that just wrapped up a brutal series against the All Blacks. Following a physically demanding 3-1 victory in the "Rugby's Greatest Rivalry" tour, head coach Rassie Erasmus is widely tipped by pundits to unleash a heavily rotated squad.
The coaching staff has already given the clearest indication of this strategy, officially releasing centurions Damian de Allende and Pieter-Steph du Toit to return to South Africa for a well-earned rest. Furthermore, with midfield stalwart Lukhanyo Am not part of the active touring squad for this leg, the door is wide open for a new-look combination.
Leading rugby analysts suggest that this Test matches the perfect storm: a chance to build vital squad depth against a transitioning Wallabies team while preserving frontline stars for the upcoming November internationals.
Pundit Consensus: Predicted Springbok Match-Day 23 Against Australia: 15. Quan Horn, 14. Edwill van der Merwe, 13. Jesse Kriel, 12. André Esterhuizen, 11. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10. Manie Libbok, 9. Morné van den Berg, 8. Cameron Hanekom, 7. Elrigh Louw, 6. Paul de Villiers, 5. Franco Mostert, 4. Cobus Wiese, 3. Zachary Porthen, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 1. Gerhard Steenekamp. Replacements: 16. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17. Boan Venter, 18. Carlu Sadie, 19. Lood de Jager, 20. Ben-Jason Dixon, 21. Grant Williams, 22. Handré Pollard, 23. Aphelele Fassi.