The Springboks arrived in Australia on Wednesday morning local time after completing their Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks in the USA, setting up for a one-off Test against the Wallabies at Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday 27 September.
The squad flew from Baltimore to Dallas before connecting to Sydney, and have established their training base in Terrigal, north of Sydney, with on-field preparation scheduled to begin on Friday.
Erasmus acknowledged the physical toll of the preceding weeks but was measured in his assessment of what awaits. "Both Argentina and the All Blacks tested us thoroughly, and we have no doubt that we will be facing a determined Wallabies side that will want to put on a good show in front of their home crowd, and they will present a completely different challenge to that which we have faced in the last few Test matches," he said.
Player management in the lead-up to the match is a priority, with Erasmus pointing to the combined strain of back-to-back Test rugby and long-haul travel. The squad was given a rest day in Baltimore on Sunday before the journey to Australia. Head of Athletic Performance Andy Edwards and the logistics team have been credited by Erasmus for managing the touring schedule.
The Perth fixture carries added significance as a preparation marker for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which Australia will host. The Boks are scheduled to face Romania in Perth on 22 October 2027 in their third pool match of that tournament.