{"id":67964,"date":"2025-08-14T15:42:10","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T15:42:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/67964\/"},"modified":"2025-08-14T15:42:10","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T15:42:10","slug":"south-africa-springboks-vs-australia-kickoff-time-lineups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/67964\/","title":{"rendered":"South Africa Springboks vs. Australia Kickoff Time, Lineups"},"content":{"rendered":"

Australia Rugby\u00a0<\/a>opens the 2025 Rugby Championship with the toughest assignment possible \u2014 back-to-back matches in South Africa, starting Aug. 16 at Ellis Park against the No. 1-ranked Springboks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Wallabies arrive in Johannesburg fresh from a three-test series with the British and Irish Lions, which ended in a 22-12 win after dropping the first two matches. Outgoing head coach Joe Schmidt<\/a> has lifted the squad from its 2023 Rugby World Cup struggles, with star lock Will Skelton returning from injury and rugby league convert Joseph Sua\u2019ali\u2019i making his Championship debut.<\/p>\n

Schmidt\u2019s side still is in a rebuilding phase. Depth remains a concern, particularly at fly-half, but Bendon notes Schmidt\u2019s set-piece power plays could trouble even elite defenses.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom set-pieces, no coach in professional rugby draws up plays that unpick defenses better than Joe Schmidt,\u201d Bendon said.<\/p>\n

South Africa Rugby The Team To Beat In Rugby Championship<\/p>\n

South Africa, meanwhile, begins its title defense with an experienced group \u2014 18 Rugby World Cup winners in the match-day squad. Captain Siya Kolisi will start at No. 8 for the first time, while record cap-holder Eben Etzebeth<\/a> partners Lood de Jager at lock. Wings Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe join fullback Aphelele Fassi in a back three selected to counter Australia\u2019s pace.<\/p>\n

Head coach Rassie Erasmus\u00a0<\/a>has presided over a 14-2 record since returning in 2024 and is widely considered one of the sport\u2019s best tacticians. \u201cThey\u2019ve got so much talent coming through all the time\u2026 they can keep going for as long as they stay well-organized and well-structured with a coach like Rassie in charge,\u201d Bendon said.<\/p>\n

Ellis Park has been an imposing venue for Australia,<\/a> with South Africa unbeaten there in six matches against the Wallabies. The Springboks hold a 52-40-3 overall record in the rivalry and will aim for a fifth straight win, their longest streak in over 50 years.<\/p>\n

South Africa vs. Australia Rugby Kickoff Time For Round 1 Of Rugby Championship<\/p>\n

The first match of the Rugby Championship is at 11:10 a.m. ET on Aug. 16. The match is at Emirates Airline Park, also known as Ellis Park, in Johannesburg, South Africa.\u00a0<\/p>\n

How To Stream Springboks vs. Wallabies<\/p>\n

Every match of the 2025 Rugby Championship is streaming live in the United States on FloRugby and the FloSports app. Match replays, highlights and breaking news will be on both platforms.\u00a0<\/p>\n

South Africa Rugby Lineup vs. Australia\u00a0<\/p>\n

What a way to start the week! Check out the #Springboks<\/a> team to face Australia at Ellis Park on Saturday \ud83d\udd25#ForeverGreenForeverGold<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Springboks (@Springboks) August 11, 2025<\/a>South Africa Starting XVOx NcheMalcolm MarxWilco LouwEben EtzebethLood de JagerMarco van StadenPieter-Steph du ToitSiya Kolisi (C)Grant WilliamsManie LibbokKurt-Lee ArendseAndre EsterhuizenJesse KrielEdwill van der MerweAphelele FassiReplacements16. Bongi Mbonambi17. Jan-Hendrik Wessels18. Asenathi Ntlabakanye19. Franco Mostert20. Kwagga Smith21. Cobus Reinach22. Canan Moodie23. Damian WillemseAustralia Rugby Lineup vs. South Africa <\/p>\n

Your Match Day 23 for the first Test of the @flightcentreau<\/a> Rugby Championship \ud83e\udd98<\/p>\n

NEXT MATCH
\ud83c\udd9a Springboks
\ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f Sunday August 17 | 1:10am AEST
\ud83c\udfdf\ufe0f Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
\ud83d\udcfa @stansportau<\/a>#Wallabies<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/jHt6JOmn82<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Wallabies (@wallabies) August 14, 2025<\/a>Australia Rugby Starting XVJames SlipperBilly PollardTaniela TupouNick FrostWill SkeltonTom HooperFraser McReightHarry Wilson (C)Nic WhiteJames O’ConnorDylan PietschLen IkitauJoseph-Aukuso SuaaliiMax JorgensenTom WrightReplacements16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa17. Angus Bell18. Zane Nonggorr19. Jeremy Williams20. Langi Gleeson21. Nick Champion de Crespigny22. Tate McDermott23. Andrew KellawayWhat To Watch For In South Africa vs. Australia Round 1<\/p>\n

Australia\u2019s challenge will be matching South Africa\u2019s physicality at the breakdown and in the set piece while finding ways to stretch the Springboks\u2019 defense. For Schmidt\u2019s group, stealing a win in Johannesburg would be a major step toward a top-two finish in the Championship.<\/p>\n

Kickoff for South Africa vs. Australia is set for Aug. 16 at Ellis Park, now known as Emirates Airlines Park, in Johannesburg. Stream the match live by subscribing to FloRugby and get the latest news, scores and highlights on\u00a0FloRugby.com and the FloSports app.<\/a><\/p>\n

The Rugby Championship 2025 Schedule<\/p>\n

Aug. 16<\/p>\n

Aug. 23<\/p>\n

Sept. 6<\/p>\n

Sept. 13<\/p>\n

Sept. 27<\/p>\n

Oct. 4<\/p>\n

How To Watch The Rugby Championship 2025<\/p>\n

In the United States, rugby fans can watch 2025 The Rugby Championship on FloRugby and the FloSports App.\u00a0<\/p>\n

How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby<\/p>\n

The URC will stream all its matches on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:\u00a0<\/p>\n

FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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