Australia vs South Africa: Where to watch, TV channel, kick-off time & team news
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Perth battle.
Australia host South Africa at Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday, September 27, in a one-off Test for the Mandela Challenge Plate.
The Springboks head into the match after a 3–1 series win over the All Blacks. The Wallabies have won three and drawn one of their four Tests under Les Kiss.
What time is Australia vs South Africa?
Kick-off is scheduled for 10:45am in Ireland and the UK. That is 11:45am in South Africa and 5:45pm in Perth.
What TV channel is Australia vs South Africa on?
The match is live on Sky Sports+ in Ireland and the UK, with streaming available through Sky Go for subscribers.
In Australia, it is live on Stan Sport and free-to-air on the Nine Network. Stan Sport coverage starts at 4:30pm Perth time, with Nine’s coverage beginning at 5:00pm. Viewers in South Africa can watch on SuperSport.
Australia vs South Africa team news
Australia: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been named on the wing, with Hunter Paisami and Len Ikitau in midfield. Harry Wilson captains the Wallabies, while Ben Donaldson starts at fly-half.
Josh Canham was initially selected at lock but has since been ruled out with a hamstring injury; Lukhan Salakaia-Loto takes his place.
South Africa: Rassie Erasmus has made 13 changes to the starting side that beat New Zealand in Baltimore. Eben Etzebeth and Ethan Hooker are the only players to retain their starting places.
Andre Esterhuizen captains the Springboks for the first time, with Handre Pollard returning at fly-half and Herschel Jantjies starting alongside him.
The sides meet only once this year. The 2026 Rugby Championship is not taking place, so Sunday’s match stands alone before Australia begin their Bledisloe Cup series against New Zealand.
Wallabies vs Springboks teams
Wallabies (15-1): Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii; Ben Donaldson, Ryan Lonergan; Harry Wilson (capt), Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini; Jeremy Williams, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto; Allan Alaalatoa, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Bell
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Aidan Ross, Taniela Tupou, Lachlan Shaw, Tom Hooper, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Harry Potter
Springboks (15-1): Aphelele Fassi, Edwill van der Merwe, Canan Moodie, Andre Esterhuizen (captain), Ethan Hooker, Handre Pollard, Herschel Jantjies, Marco van Staden, Elrigh Louw, Paul de Villiers, Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Zachary Porthen, Johan Grobbelaar, Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, Wilco Louw, Lood de Jager, Jasper Wiese, Morne van den Berg, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Quan Horn.
