Three reasons why Wallabies Test is important for Boks

OPINION: There was much elation that came with the Springboks winning the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, and the Boks can create another high when they face the Wallabies in Perth on Sunday.

The teams will meet for the first time since the Springboks’ 30-22 Rugby Championship victory at Cape Town Stadium last year, one week after Australia pulled off a 22-38 upset at Ellis Park.

There may not be anything at stake, no log points or trophy, but Australia will no doubt be keen to test themselves against the world champions. And the Boks have every reason to be motivated, too.

We look at three reasons why this is another big one for the Springboks.

Boks can prove they can keep winning and get even better

There has been a lot of talk about the Boks’ form and whether they are peaking too soon or if they have hit their ceiling.

Earlier this year, former Australia and current Japan coach Eddie Jones claimed that South Africa are peaking too soon and that it would be tough to maintain their “sensational form” for two years heading into the next world cup.

Jones’ comments came after the November tour, during which the Boks went unbeaten for the second year in a row.

*Continues below…

Petaia opens up on short-lived NFL stint ahead of Bok clashhttps://t.co/Dvs9raBskI

🌐#Rugby365 #AUSvRSA

— Rugby365 (@rugby365com) September 21, 2026

Since then, they have toppled England, Scotland, and Wales to top the combined Nations Championship standings and achieve a global clean sweep, overcame Argentina in Buenos Aires, and defeated the All Blacks three times in a row for the first time since 2009.

Former Springbok captain Bob Skinstad has also voiced similar concerns, while former All Black wing Jeff Wilson recently shared his belief that the Springboks are “close to their ceiling” and that he doubts they can get any better.

And that should give the Boks every reason to stick to their winning ways.

They have been in fine form this season, but they haven’t been flawless.

Head coach Rassie Erasmus recently spoke about how tough it is to play the Wallabies, saying that they present a threat that’s hard to pinpoint.

A win for Australia, however unlikely, would send shockwaves through the rugby world, and while that’s probably not something Boks fans need to worry about, a win marred with errors or any room for criticism in their performance would feed right into the “peaking too soon” talks.

The Boks can use this game to show that they can, in fact, keep winning and keep getting better.

Another opportunity to gain minutes

Building depth has been a major objective for the Bok coaching team, and it’s one they’ve handled brilliantly.

The Boks have, until now, managed to increase their player pool and afford players valuable game time while winning. Erasmus’ experiments haven’t come at the cost of winning, something not many teams can boast, and that building is set to continue.

The Bok boss has repeatedly stated that the national door is not closed, and while the group of 30 players who were used during the Greatest Rivalry series will be on duty in Australia, there could be significant changes to the run-on side.

While the core of the team remained consistent throughout the series, the Test Down Under could see several changes, or rather rotations, in the side for the one-off Test.

With the world cup a little over a year away, workload management continues to be vital and so is getting minutes into the players who did not feature prominently against New Zealand.

The front row could see some changes, at least on the bench, especially considering some of the players’ lack of recent game time.

Johan Grobbelaar didn’t feature at all for the Boks against New Zealand and Jan-Hendrik Wessels came off the bench in the series-opener, while Deon Fourie is also in the mix at hooker. Zachary Porthen could also be in for an appearance against Les Kiss’ side.

Given that Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was the preferred starter against the All Blacks, veteran flyhalf Handre Pollard is due a game if he is to remain an active part of the Bok pivot trio, while Manie Libbok hasn’t had a start since the England Test early July.

With Damian de Allende and Pieter-Steph du Toit given some time off, Damian Willemse or Andre Esterhuizen might move into the number 12 position, with Aphelele Fassi standing to benefit should Willemse vacate the fullback role he fulfilled so masterfully this year. And then there is the blindside flank.

2027 World Cup loading

The Boks are based in Terrigal, north of Sydney ahead of the match, the same base they will use in the build-up to the 2027 World Cup.

The Wallabies are on a rebuilding project and have won three and drawn one since Kiss took over, and a win for either side could be a mental boost ahead of the global spectacle.

It may not have any bearing on the tournament itself, but for the Boks, being able to look back at the venue fondly will be an added bit of positivity as they hunt an unprecedented three-peat.