South Africa's forward pack will be fearsome, but the Wallabies are also bracing for an intense battle in the air when they attempt to take down the two-time defending World Cup winners in Perth on Sunday.
The world No.1 Springboks arrive in Perth full of confidence following their 3-1 series win over New Zealand.
The Springboks have always been renowned for possessing an unmatched physical intensity, especially at the scrum.
But Wallabies winger Harry Potter says South Africa's aerial game is also going to be a huge threat after watching them use it to great effect against the All Blacks.
New Zealand winger Will Jordan committed a series-high 24 turnovers against the Springboks as the All Blacks struggled under the high ball.
New Wallabies coach Les Kiss is set to switch outside centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to the wing in a bid to nullify South Africa's aerial game.
"It's going to be a massive area of the game for sure," Potter said.
"Their wingers, fullback - they're slightly different personnel this week, but (Ethan) Hooker and (Edwill) van der Merwe are both good in the air.
"We think we've been doing quite well in that area as well. We probably had an off game, some off games, against Argentina.
"Certainly South Africa are going to be an even bigger threat. It's going to be a step up this week in the air."
An instant classic against the Springboks last year 🙌
— Wallabies (@wallabies) September 18, 2026
We face off again next Sunday 😤 pic.twitter.com/l5qtsSD9JP
South Africa have won five of their past six Tests against Australia, but the Wallabies pulled off a famous 38-22 win in Johannesburg last year after coming from 22-0 down.
Kiss will unveil his team on Friday, and all eyes will be on whether star back Jordan Petaia will be named for his first match since the 2023 World Cup.
Petaia's NFL dream was quickly crushed last year due to a hamstring injury, but a stint in France reinvigorated him, and he is fit and raring to go for a Wallabies return.
South Africa raised eyebrows on Tuesday when they made 13 changes to their starting line-up for the one-off Test at Optus Stadium
That included sending veteran duo Pieter-Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende home so they could spend time with family.
But the Springboks XV that will be wheeled out against the Wallabies still contains plenty of class, experience and World Cup winners, with just three players boasting fewer than 10 Test caps.
South Africa dismissed claims their mass changes were a sign of disrespect towards Australia, or that they will fall flat.
"That may be your perspective, but it's not as if we go into a Wallabies Test and say, 'let's just throw the ball around and have fun because it's not the All Blacks'," former Springboks No.8 and current assistant coach Duane Vermeulen said.
"No one plays this game to lose, so anyone who talks about losing is making a strange statement.
"We've just come off the Greatest Rivalry series and yes, we are making a few changes, but the guys understand their roles, so everyone knows exactly what to do and when."
