Esterhuizen to skipper Boks against Wallabies

September 22, 2026 32 1

André Esterhuizen will become the 68th Springbok captain when South Africa face Australia in a one-off Test in Perth on Sunday.

Springbok coach, Rassie Erasmus, has named a new-look team, which will feature significant occasions for No 8 Jasper Wiese as he earns his 50th Test cap off the bench, Esterhuizen will lead the side.

Erasmus made 13 changes to his starting team announced on Tuesday, with only Eben Etzebeth and Ethan Hooker retaining their places from the side that defeated the All Blacks 43-28 in Baltimore just over a week ago.

The victory saw the Springboks clinch the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry title.

In total, nine of the players in Erasmus’ match-23 participated in the final Test against New Zealand in the USA.

Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche and Wilco Louw will serve as the back-up front row, while Lood de Jager will again provide lock cover, and Wiese loose forward cover.

The three backs on the replacements bench are Morne van den Berg, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Quan Horn.

“Each player in this squad has been working hard at training over the last few months and has had a chance to play in either the first leg of the Nations Championship or RGR, or both. While guys like Handre and Canan have recovered from injury, and they are all quality players, so we are pleased to give them a run and we are excited to see this team in action,” said Erasmus.

“Australia poses a completely different threat to New Zealand in the way they play, so we believe these combinations would be best suited for the challenge that we will face against them.”

A new captain and another 50-cap milestone for the #Springboks in Perth – more here: https://t.co/c7fGliUXQP 🫡#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/lzXuDICifb

— Springboks (@Springboks) September 22, 2026