Veteran lock Eben Etzebeth will lead a weakened South Africa in their Rugby Championship Test against the Wallabies in Johannesburg.

Due to travel pressure the Springboks have effectively named a B team for the Ellis Park match on Saturday, with many of their stars instead flying out to New Zealand to prepare for the All Blacks next weekend.

Etzebeth will cover for injured captain Siya Kolisi while backrower Rynhardt Elstadt and halfback Herschel Jantjies will make their Test debuts.

Springboks: Warrick Gelant, Sbu Nkosi, Jesse Kriel, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi, Elton Jantjies, Herschel Jantjies, Francois Louw, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Rynhardt Elstadt, Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth (c), Trevor Nyakane, Bongi Mbonambi, Tendai Mtawarira. Res: Schalk Brits, Lizo Gqoboka, Vincent Koch, Marvin Orie, Marcell Coetzee, Cobus Reinach, Frans Steyn, Dillyn Leyds.