Overview
- Australia named their XV on Friday with Joseph‑Aukuso Suaalii moved from outside centre to start on the left wing to help counter South Africa’s aerial game.
- Coach Les Kiss selected a six‑forwards, two‑backs bench to match the Springboks’ powerful replacement pack and prioritise physical cover late in the match.
- South Africa’s coach Rassie Erasmus made 13 changes to his starting XV to rest World Cup winners and test combinations, naming Andre Esterhuizen as captain with Malcolm Marx and Ox Nche among the experienced replacements.
- Ben Donaldson will start at flyhalf for Australia after Carter Gordon fractured his leg in Argentina, and Italy’s Andrea Piardi will referee the one‑off Test at Optus Stadium on Sunday, September 27.
- The selections reflect short‑term game plans and longer‑term preparation: Australia aim to blunt the Boks’ aerial and bench strength while South Africa manage workloads and assess depth ahead of the next international windows.