Overview

• Rassie Erasmus made 10 changes to the starting XV, recalling Handre Pollard, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe and Willie le Roux, with Jesse Kriel captaining and Ox Nche named vice-captain.
• Erasmus framed the selection as a tactical reset, restoring a 6–2 forwards-backs bench and saying the contest will be more of a grind given lessons from Johannesburg and likely wet weather.
• The loose trio is reshaped with Jean‑Luc du Preez at No.8 and Franco Mostert at No.7, while RG Snyman partners Ruan Nortje at lock as the Boks target sharper lineout execution.
• Only Kriel, Malcolm Marx, Marco van Staden, Ox Nche and Grant Williams retain starting spots from Ellis Park, with Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager among the reinforcements on the bench.
• Australia have not yet named their matchday 23 as they prepare for a more physical test, and initial scans showed no structural knee damage for captain Harry Wilson, whose availability remains uncertain.