Springboks team named to face Australia in Rugby Championship - Eben Etzebeth to break caps record

South Africa will be chasing a fifth consecutive win over the Wallabies, having won all four meetings across 2022 and 2023, including two victories in Australia last season. Eben Etzebeth will become South Africa’s most capped player with 134 Tests, moving up to joint-10th on the all-time international test list alongside Wales legend Gethin Jenkins.

The back three features Aphelele Fassi, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Edwill van der Merwe, with Jesse Kriel partnering Andre Esterhuizen in midfield after Damian de Allende missed out due to a minor back issue. Manie Libbok and Grant Williams start at halfback.

Captain Siya Kolisi will wear the No.8 jersey for the first time in a Springboks Test match, joining Pieter-Steph du Toit and Marco van Staden in the loose forwards. The second row sees Etzebeth paired with Lood de Jager, behind a front row of Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, and Wilco Louw.

The replacements include Bongi Mbonambi, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, and Asenathi Ntlabakanye in the front row, Franco Mostert and Kwagga Smith in the pack, and Cobus Reinach, Canan Moodie, and Damian Willemse in the backs. Only Asenathi Ntlabakanye made his Test debut in last month’s Incoming Series, while Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Edwill van der Merwe have five caps or fewer.

Erasmus said: “We’ve been experimenting with combinations during the Incoming Series and at camp over the last two weeks. We believe this squad allows us to play the type of rugby we want against Australia. All starters except Edwill have faced them before, and he’s ready for the challenge.”

Australia arrive in Johannesburg following a 22-12 win over the British & Irish Lions and will be motivated to secure their first-ever victory at Ellis Park. Erasmus warned: “They’re physical and well-coached. We won’t underestimate their determination to bounce back.”

Starting XV
15 Aphelele Fassi
14 Edwill van der Merwe
13 Jesse Kriel
12 Andre Esterhuizen
11 Kurt-Lee Arendse
10 Manie Libbok
9 Grant Williams
8 Siya Kolisi (captain)
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit
6 Marco van Staden
5 Lood de Jager
4 Eben Etzebeth
3 Wilco Louw
2 Malcolm Marx
1 Ox Nche

Replacements
16 Bongi Mbonambi
17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels
18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye
19 Franco Mostert
20 Kwagga Smith
21 Cobus Reinach
22 Canan Moodie
23 Damian Willemse