Ellis Park is gearing up for another electric rugby showdown this Saturday, with the Springboks tipped as heavy favourites against the Wallabies.
But if history has taught us anything, it’s that Australia loves nothing more than spoiling the party — and their recent gritty display against the British & Irish Lions proves they’re no easy target.
A Last-Minute Shake-Up for the Boks
The Springboks’ preparations took a small hit late in the week when versatile front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels picked up a training knock and was ruled out.
In his place, Boan Venter steps onto the bench, ready to make his presence felt.
Wallabies’ Bold Call at Fly-Half
For Australia, the big headline is veteran James O’Connor’s recall to the No. 10 shirt.
Coach Joe Schmidt has also gone for a bold 6-2 bench split, signalling his intent to match South Africa’s physicality up front while keeping fresh legs for the closing stages.
How They’ll Line Up
Springboks 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 Boan Venter, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Canan Moodie, 23 Damian Willemse.
Wallabies Starting XV:
15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Nic White, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 22 Tate McDermott, 23 Andrew Kellaway.
Officials: Referee – Ben O’Keeffe (NZ); Assistants – James Doleman (NZ), Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy); TMO – Tual Trainini (France).
The Numbers Behind the Rivalry
This will be the 96th meeting between South Africa and Australia.
The Boks have the edge historically, winning 52 of the previous encounters, losing 40, and drawing 3.
They’ve scored 1,923 points compared to Australia’s 1,672, and hold the record for the highest score in the fixture — a 61-22 win in Pretoria back in 1997.
Their biggest victory margin was a 45-point hammering (53-8) in Johannesburg in 2008.
Historic Milestones on the Horizon
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Five in a Row? A win would mark the first time in over 50 years the Springboks have beaten Australia in five consecutive Tests.
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Etzebeth’s Record March: Eben Etzebeth will earn his 134th cap, extending his record as the most capped Springbok ever and moving him into joint-10th on the all-time global list alongside Gethin Jenkins.
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Kolisi Closing in on 100: Siya Kolisi will notch his 94th cap, just six shy of becoming the ninth Bok to reach the century milestone.
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Ellis Park Fortress: South Africa has never lost to Australia at Ellis Park — and they’ll be determined to keep it that way.
Experience Counts
The Springbok starting line-up carries a total of 725 Test caps — 180 in the backline, 545 in the forwards — with the bench adding another 312.
That’s an average of 26 caps per backline player, 68 per forward, and 39 per bench player.
This level of experience could be the deciding factor when the match heats up in the final minutes.