The Wallabies turn their attention to world number one South Africa in the quest to regain the Mandela Challenge Plate.
The Springboks have established themselves as the world's number one team after a near-flawless 2026 campaign.
Watch every second of the Wallabies 2026 season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
But the Australians will be bolstered by previous success against the South Africans, most notably their drought-breaking win in Johannesburg last year.
Rugby.com.au breaks down what you need to know about the Springboks.
The Springboks have only further cemented their status as the best team in the world in 2026.
The 3-1 series win over the All Blacks was South Africa at its best, rebounding after an opening match defeat to string off three straight victories.
It came after a clean sweep of the Nations Championship against England, Scotland and Wales.
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.
The Springboks have gone early with their side, naming the 23 to face the Wallabies on Tuesday.
It's a hallmark of coach Rassie Erasmus, rejecting the conventional approach of naming the team close to 48 hours before a Test, which World Rugby has commonly agreed on as the deadline.
Erasmus explained the simple reason when asked last year when they last faced the Aussies.
"We've been preparing three weeks for Australia, it doesn't normally happen. Normally after the incoming series, the next Test match is a little bit closer or a shorter period. Why we are announcing it early is to get the speculation out of the way so you guys can actually speculate about the team that I'll play," he explained.
"The team knows already who's playing so getting this out of the way, we can just focus on really training well and preparing."
After a brutal four Test series, the Springboks are missing several key players due to injury and rest.
Siya Kolisi, Jesse Kriel and Thomas du Toit have been left out of the 23, whilst Pieter-Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende returned home at the start of the week.
Flyer Cheslin Kolbe broke his jaw during the series with New Zealand, joining lock RG Snyman on the long-term injury list.
With the Springboks in a golden age of Rugby, it's a case of take your pick, even in a rotated squad.
They have an all-star front-row in Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit to come off the bench, considered some of the best, if not the best, in the world in their respective positions.
In the starting side, Eben Etzebeth remains world class, whilst Andre Esterhuizen is a versatile weapon.
Flanker Paul de Villiers is the next in a long line of great Springbok forwards.
The 23-year-old tore through the United Rugby Championship with the Stormers and has quickly adapted to Test Rugby.
Winger Ethan Hooker is a bit more experienced at Test level, but also is underrated in Australian Rugby for his talent.
Rassie Erasmus is one of the best coaches in the modern era and arguably the best ever in Springboks history.
Erasmus has been involved in the national set-up since 2017, initially as Director of Rugby before taking over as head coach in 2024.
The former number eight is widely credited for his influence in their back-to-back World Cup successes, winning all there is to in World Rugby.
The Wallabies and Springboks' record is nearly identical in the 21st century since the introduction of the Mandela Challenge Plate.
In the 43 matches since 2000, Australia has the edge, leading 21-20 with two draws.
Australia has historically dominated at home, winning 17 of 23 matches, but the Springboks have won three of the last four Down Under.
