Overview
- South Africa confirmed a 13-change starting XV for the one-off Test in Perth on Sunday, keeping only Eben Etzebeth and Ethan Hooker from the Baltimore side.
- Eben Etzebeth will extend his Springbok appearance record to 147 Tests and Andre Esterhuizen has been named captain for the fixture.
- Coach Rassie Erasmus explained the changes were made to manage workloads after the four-Test series with New Zealand and to allow veterans Pieter‑Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende to return home for rest.
- Australia, coached by Les Kiss, has trained to disrupt the Boks’ set-piece and aerial game with plans to pressure the lineout and maul and is expected to name its side ahead of kick‑off.
- The match will function as a practical rehearsal for South Africa’s preparations for the Nations Championship and 2027 World Cup by testing depth, protecting player welfare, and exposing set-piece matchups to watch on game day.