This will arguably be the Springboks’ biggest test this year, following their matches against the Barbarians, Italy, and Georgia in July. They will be aiming for a strong start to their campaign.

The Wallabies come into the Test on the back of a solid finish to their recent British & Irish Lions series, winning the final Test 22-12 in Sydney, although they narrowly missed out in the second game in Melbourne.

Rassie Erasmus. Photo: Morgan Piek

Manie Libbok has earned the nod at flyhalf and will form the halfback pairing with Grant Williams. Damian Willemse will provide cover at flyhalf from the bench. Edwill van der Merwe and Kurt-Lee Arendse will start on the wings, while Jesse Kriel and André Esterhuizen will patrol the midfield.

Siya Kolisi will captain the side from the back of the scrum, with Pieter-Steph du Toit and Marco van Staden starting at flank. Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager will hold down the second row, with Franco Mostert providing cover from the bench.

Ox Nché, Malcolm Marx, and Wilco Louw will start in the front row.

Lood de Jager. Photo: Morgan Piek

Erasmus said that while they experimented with player combinations during the Incoming Series earlier this year, experience will now be key.

“We’ve been trying different combinations during the Incoming Series and at our conditioning camp over the last two weeks. We believe this team will allow us to play the type of rugby we want against Australia,” said Erasmus.

“The Wallabies will be determined to improve their record against us over the last three seasons, so they’ll come out guns blazing. We’re confident the players we’ve selected are ready for the challenge.

Grant Williams. Photo: Morgan Piek

“All of the starters except Edwill have faced them before, and we believe he is more than ready for this Test.”

Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe were not considered as they are both recovering from slight injuries.

Saturday’s Test between the World Champions and the resurgent Wallabies at Ellis Park kicks off at 17:10.

Springboks - 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 André 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 Nché

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

Wallabies - TBA

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs