“Wallabies coach Les Kiss has praised the Springboks and Rassie Erasmus ahead of Australia’s Test against South Africa in Perth, describing the encounter as a valuable opportunity to measure and develop his team. South Africa, meanwhile, have made 13 changes to their starting XV following their Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series victory over New Zealand, with André Esterhuizen taking over the captaincy.”
Wallabies coach Les Kiss praises Springboks influence ahead of Perth showdown
Australia head coach Les Kiss has described the opportunity to learn from the Springboks as a valuable part of his first season leading the Wallabies, as Australia prepares to face South Africa in Perth on Sunday, September 27. Kiss has praised South Africa’s rugby culture and the thinking of Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, while insisting that Australia will approach the world champions with confidence and a willingness to test its progress.
The comments come at a significant moment for both teams. South Africa arrive in Australia after winning the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand, while the Wallabies enter the Perth Test with a recent run of encouraging results. South Africa have also selected a heavily rotated team, creating a different challenge from the side that defeated the All Blacks in Baltimore earlier this month.
The latest development
ESPN reported on September 26 that Kiss regards the chance to observe and compete against the Springboks as an important learning experience. The Australian coach has spoken positively about Erasmus and the way South Africa have built a demanding, adaptable rugby system. His comments underline the value of the Perth match: it is not simply another international fixture, but an opportunity for Australia to measure its development against the reigning world champions.
South Africa’s recent form gives the contest considerable context. The Springboks won the four-Test Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series 3-1 against New Zealand. Their final victory, 43-28 in Baltimore on September 12, secured the series after a demanding sequence of matches. SA Rugby’s official website records the Baltimore victory and lists the Wallabies Test as South Africa’s next international fixture.
For South Africa, however, the Perth Test is also about managing workload and expanding the group. Rassie Erasmus has made 13 changes to the starting XV that defeated the All Blacks. André Esterhuizen has been named captain, becoming the 68th player to lead the Springboks, while Jasper Wiese is set to reach 50 Test appearances from the replacements bench.
A different Springbok challenge
The large number of changes means Australia will not face exactly the same Springbok combination that finished the New Zealand series. Only Eben Etzebeth and Ethan Hooker retained their starting places from the Baltimore match. Handré Pollard returns at fly-half, while Herschel Jantjies is selected at scrum-half.
The changes are not being presented by South Africa as a sign that the Test is being taken lightly. Assistant coach Duane Vermeulen has said the team respects Australia and is preparing for a difficult contest. The coaching staff have stressed that every selected player has been working toward an opportunity and has clear responsibilities.
That approach reflects a broader feature of South African rugby: depth is treated as an important part of preparation. With the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia approaching, Erasmus has an incentive to give more players meaningful Test experience while maintaining the standards expected from the Springboks.
Australia’s response
For the Wallabies, the match offers a chance to assess progress under Kiss against a team that has repeatedly demonstrated strength in set pieces, defence, tactical kicking and game management. Australia have recently beaten Italy, Japan twice and recorded a win and a draw against Argentina, according to Reuters reporting carried by TimesLIVE.
The Wallabies also have selection changes of their own. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is set to start on the wing, a positional switch that gives Australia another attacking option while changing the balance of its back three. The decision has attracted attention because Suaalii is better known for playing in the centres, but the move is intended to address specific tactical requirements.
Australia will also have to account for injuries. Charlie Cale is expected to miss the remainder of the season after suffering a shoulder injury that requires surgery, with Nick Champion de Crespigny called into the squad. Late changes can become particularly important against South Africa because the Springboks traditionally place major pressure on defensive systems through their forwards and structured phases.
Why the coaching battle matters
Kiss and Erasmus have a connection that goes back more than two decades. TimesLIVE reported that Kiss worked as South Africa’s defence coach in 2001 and 2002 and knew Erasmus from his playing days. That history adds a tactical layer to the Perth meeting because both coaches have an understanding of the other’s rugby environment.
Kiss is responsible for developing an Australian team with a distinct identity, while Erasmus is managing a squad that has already endured a demanding international schedule.
Australia need to demonstrate that their recent improvement can translate against the highest level of opposition. South Africa need to show that their wider squad can maintain the team’s standards despite significant rotation. The result will therefore provide information about both teams beyond the final score.
The Perth setting
The match will be played at Optus Stadium on Sunday, with kickoff listed by Planet Rugby at 11:30am South African time. It is also a significant fixture in Australia’s preparation for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which will be hosted across the country.
South Africa played the Wallabies at the venue in 2024, winning 30-12 in wet conditions. This time, however, the circumstances are different, with Australia under a new head coach and South Africa using a significantly changed lineup.
The Mandela Challenge Plate also adds a historical dimension to the contest. Australia and South Africa have a long Test rivalry, and matches between the sides have often combined physical forward play with tactical battles in the kicking game and at the breakdown.
What the Springboks want from the match
The immediate South African objective is to complete their Australian assignment strongly after the demanding series against New Zealand. The coaching staff have repeatedly stressed recovery, squad management and preparation for the future.
The match also provides an opportunity for players such as Zachary Porthen, Johan Grobbelaar, Paul de Villiers and Ethan Hooker to demonstrate their ability at Test level. For established players such as Pollard and Etzebeth, the game provides leadership and experience within a new combination.
The selection of Esterhuizen as captain is particularly significant. His role in midfield gives him a direct influence on defensive organisation and attacking decisions, while the captaincy adds another responsibility to his Test career. His leadership will be observed alongside the performances of the newer combinations around him.
The wider South African picture
The team’s official website currently lists South Africa as the number-one men’s side in its world-ranking display, with New Zealand second and Ireland third. That ranking reflects the results of the recent international cycle, but the Perth match presents a different test because South Africa are balancing performance with squad development.
Conclusion
The latest South Africa-related rugby story places Les Kiss’s respect for the Springboks at the centre of attention before the Perth Test. His comments, as reported by ESPN, highlight the value Australia sees in measuring its progress against a team that has built a deep and adaptable international programme.
At the same time, South Africa enter the contest with a clear development purpose. Erasmus has made 13 changes, Esterhuizen has been handed the captaincy, and several players have an opportunity to strengthen their claims for future Test selection. Australia, meanwhile, are seeking evidence that their recent improvement can withstand the pressure of facing the world champions.
