Rugby: Erasmus makes 13 changes, Andre Esterhuizen becomes the 68th Springbok captain

South Africa faces Australia in Perth on Sunday, September 27, 2026, and head coach Rassie Erasmus has significantly reshuffled the deck: thirteen changes to the starting fifteen compared to the last test, according to Sky Sports. Center Andre Esterhuizen earns the captain's armband, becoming the 68th captain in Springbok history.

A nearly brand-new team

Only lock Eben Etzebeth and winger Ethan Hooker retain their spots. Etzebeth will reach his 147th cap on this occasion, extending his record as the most-capped Springbok player. Around them, an entirely new front row features Jan-Hendrik Wessels, hooker Johan Grobbelaar, and Zachary Porthen.

Fly-half Handré Pollard makes his return following a calf injury, scrum-half Herschel Jantjies returns to the starting fifteen, and lock Franco Mostert plays his first test since November. Despite the scale of the rotation, the team remains experienced: only three starters have fewer than ten caps—winger Edwill van der Merwe, Paul de Villiers, and Porthen, notes Sky Sports.

A historic series against the All Blacks

This extensive turnover is not an admission of weakness, but the luxury of a champion. South Africa is coming off a 3-1 series victory against New Zealand in the first edition of "Rugby's Greatest Rivalry." After being beaten 33-16 at Ellis Park, the Springboks bounced back with a 33-26 win at Cape Town Stadium, 29-24 at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, and then 43-28 on September 13, 2026, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, USA.

The South Africans' 2026 season has been a display of dominance: 80-31 against the Barbarians in Gqeberha, 45-21 against England at Ellis Park, 42-28 against Scotland at Loftus Versfeld, 43-0 against Wales in Durban, and 17-10 in Argentina, according to the schedule published by SA Rugby Magazine.

The Wallabies in ambush

Erasmus warned that today's opponent cannot be fought the same way as the All Blacks, as he believes Australia poses a different kind of threat due to their style of play. On the Australian side, head coach Les Kiss was set to unveil his squad on Friday, and center Joseph Suaalii could be fielded on the wing, reports Sky Sports. Kick-off is set for 10:45 AM British time.

For the Springboks, this isolated trip precedes a busy European autumn: Italy in Turin on November 7, France at the Stade de France on the 13th, Ireland in Dublin on the 21st, before a final scheduled in London at the end of November as part of the Nations Championship.