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Test of depth: Will this be Rassie's Bok side to face Australia?

By Angus Opperman
Sunday 20 Sep 2026
Franco-Mostert-watching-from-the-bench-during-the-match-between-South-Africa-and-Barbarians-at-Nelson-Mandela-Bay-Stadium-on-June-20-2026-in-Gqeberha

OPINION: Angus Opperman played Bok selector and looked into his crystal ball to predict which Springbok team Rassie Erasmus might select to face the Wallabies on September 27.

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Following a gruelling Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks, which the Boks clinched by three Tests to one, they have one final mission against Australia before going on a break ahead of the second leg of the Nations Championship.

Most of the Boks who played during the RGR racked up a hefty amount of playing minutes, and one would expect Erasmus to rest those who endured the biggest workload.

In the same breath, some players had little to no game time but formed part of the wider squad and will, in all likelihood, be part of this one-off clash against Australia.

It would be a test of depth and mental fortitude coming off the high of a series win, but many players will be itching to pull the Bok jersey over their heads and give Erasmus food for thought ahead of the Nations Championship in November and next year’s World Cup.

Continues below…

Below is my selection, which I think Erasmus will go with, considering the factors above.

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South Africa: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Aphelele Fassi, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrich Louw, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Ethan Hooker.

What would your selection look like?

*Let us know in the comments…

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