Andre Esterhuizen to lead revamped Springboks against Australia following changes from Rassie Erasmus

Following limited participation in the 2026 matches, fullback Afelele FASSI is one of the Springboks players hoping to receive more minutes on the field during the game against Australia on Sunday.

After four intense matches against the All Blacks, the Springboks will face a completely different challenge against Australia in Perth in a single friendly match on Sunday. Since head coach Rassie Erasmus is expected to rotate the squad when it is announced on Tuesday for the match at Optus Stadium (starting at 11:45 South African time), this could open doors for several reserve players to gain valuable experience after limited or no time in the greatest rugby rivalry.

IOL Sport has looked at five Springboks players who will aim to impress if given more playing time against the Wallabies.

Players who could get more time

Handre Pollard is likely the most obvious candidate. He faced the All Blacks but missed all four matches due to a calf injury. He was fit and arrived in Baltimore for the final match but was not selected because Erasmus adhered to a tactic that worked in the previous two games.

A significant series of games against Australia will help him regain his rhythm at the Test level and remind everyone of his importance to the Bok squad. He has demonstrated that he is still capable of contributing to the national team.

Cameron Hanekom, a forward from the Bulls, immediately made an impression in limited opportunities against New Zealand, but improved his game with each game. His last two matches can be considered his best for the team. As veteran versatile forward Pieter-Steph du Toit plans to rest, Hanekom could get a much bigger opportunity to show what he can offer with his physical strength and work rate from the first whistle. He will strive to maintain the form he showed against the second-ranked team.

Mani Libbok, who was mainly used as an impact player during the four-match series, could benefit from more sustained time on the field in Perth. The start would give him more time to influence the game and demonstrate the attacking qualities that make him such an intriguing option at number 10. Every time he came on, the Boks' attack changed. He made almost no mistakes this season, and if the world champions decide to play running rugby, Libbok could be the man who makes the backline move. His kicks from both feet and ball distribution were valuable assets.

Morne van der Merwe gradually increased his involvement against the Kiwis and started the last match in Baltimore. As competition for the midfield position intensifies, another extended spell against Australia could give him a chance to build on this momentum and strengthen his case for more minutes in Test matches. He outperformed the more experienced Kama Roigard, and this gives the relatively inexperienced No. 9 a lot of confidence. Van der Merwe proved himself when the Boks needed him, and he should be given another starting chance.

Afelele FASSI could also benefit from returning to the starting lineup after his absence against New Zealand. With the load management in the Boks' backline, Perth provides the fullback with another opportunity to remind Erasmus of his ability and versatility. After injuries, he needs more minutes to regain confidence. The fullback helped South Africa defeat Argentina and demonstrated his stability under high ball and in attack. However, if given a chance, he will view this match against the Wallabies as an opportunity to improve his performance.

Projected Springbok Squad

The squad includes: 15 Afelele FASSI, 14 Kanan Moody, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Handre Pollard, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Mani Libbok, 9 Morne van der Merwe, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Cameron Hanekom, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Roan Northe, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenkamp.

Rassi Erasmus stated that the Wallabies will present the Springboks with a completely different challenge after the intense series of matches against the New Zealand team. The Springboks conducted their first training session at the base in Terrigal, New South Wales, the day before the match against the Wallabies in Perth next Sunday. Rassi Erasmus emphasized the significance of the confrontation with Australia on home ground, given that only 13 months remain until the World Cup.

Erasmus noted that although the Springboks arrived in Australia from Baltimore after a tough four-match series against New Zealand, and had previously played Argentina, he believes the Wallabies will be significantly different from the New Zealand team, but the match in Perth is still very important.

He reminded that people have long been interested in the importance of this game. Erasmus highlighted the rich traditions of Australian rugby, mentioning that they were strong when playing great players like George Gregan and Stephen Larkham, and also noted that Australia has won the World Cup twice and was in the final in 2003.

An additional stimulus for Australia will be the status of host country for the next World Cup, while the Springboks will return to Perth during the tournament to play Romania in the third group match. Erasmus stated that it is extremely important for them to have the opportunity to play against the host nation of the World Cup in a major test match when opponents are fresh, and they arrive after a very difficult series against New Zealand.

Despite this, Erasmus does not intend to view the game as just a World Cup rehearsal. He expects the Wallabies team to be motivated to impress their fans. He added that both Argentina and New Zealand tested the Springboks, and they do not doubt that they will face a highly motivated Wallabies team, which has not lost under the new coach Les Kiss. Erasmus concluded that it will be a completely different type of game compared to the series against New Zealand, and they will need another full 80-minute game to achieve the desired result.

Captain Siya Kolisi reported that the team will maintain its core principles while adapting to the specific demands presented by the Wallabies. Kolisi emphasized the importance of preparation in Australia, noting that the team has gone through several tough battles against Australia where they sometimes lost. He also mentioned that the training went well, and it was nice to see many South Africans who came to support them in Terrigal. He clarified that the team's core values will remain the same, but since Australia is fundamentally different from New Zealand, they will have to adjust some aspects.

This ability to adapt will be one of the key tests for the Springboks as they begin the next phase of World Cup preparation. During Friday's training, a lighter topic arose when Erasmus was asked about the unusual buzz cuts of members of the Springboks management. According to available information, the haircuts are the result of a bet, but Erasmus declined to comment on the details, laughing.