Kolbe made his Springbok debut in Brisbane three weeks ago and was sent on as an early replacement against the All Blacks in Wellington the following week, scoring a vital try early in the second half.
Warren Whiteley sustained a groin injury earlier in the week, which has ruled him out of action for this Saturday, paving the way for Notshe to earn his first start for the Springboks.
Jesse Kriel, who started at right wing in Wellington, moves back to outside centre. Kriel is set to partner the strong running Andre Esterhuizen in a revamped Springbok midfield as a result of the injuries to Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am.
Up front there is a rotation at loosehead prop between Tendai Mtawarira and Steven Kitshoff, who on this occasion will provide impact off the bench. The rest of the starting line-up is unchanged, with Mtawarira set to make his 106th Test match appearance for the Springboks on Saturday.
“The same applies for Notshe, who did very well in the role of impact player during the English series. He has kept on working hard and he deserves his opportunity in the starting team.
The bench made a telling impact in Wellington, which is something Erasmus will once more demand from his replacements this weekend.
The match will also commemorate the 100th birthday anniversary of former South African President, the late Mr Nelson Mandela, and the Springboks have enthusiastically joined into the various happenings in the Friendly City.
The Springbok team to play Australia in Port Elizabeth (in order of position, name and surname, club or provincial team, number of caps and Test points):
14. Cheslin Kolbe (Toulouse, France), 2, 5 - 1t
13. Jesse Kriel (Vodacom Bulls), 34, 45 - 9t
12. André Esterhuizen (Cell C Sharks), 4, 0
11. Aphiwe Dyantyi (Emirates Lions), 7, 25 - 5t
10. Handré Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), 33, 265 - 3t, 50c, 47p, 3d
9. Faf de Klerk (Sale Sharks, England), 18, 10 - 2t
8. Sikhumbuzo Notshe (DHL Stormers), 4, 0
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (DHL Stormers,) 40, 20 - 4t
6. Siya Kolisi (captain, DHL Stormers), 35, 25 - 5t
5. Franco Mostert (Emirates Lions), 24, 5 - 1t
4. Eben Etzebeth (DHL Stormers), 71, 15 - 3t
3. Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers,) 23, 0
2. Malcolm Marx (Emirates Lions), 18, 20 - 4t
1. Tendai Mtawarira (Cell C Sharks), 105, 10 - 2t
Replacements:
16. Bongi Mbonambi (DHL Stormers), 20, 10 - 2t
17. Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers, 31, 5 - 1t
18. Wilco Louw (DHL Stormers), 10, 0
19. RG Snyman (Vodacom Bulls), 6, 0
20. Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), 1, 0
21. Embrose Papier (Vodacom Bulls), 3, 0
22. Elton Jantjies (Emirates Lions), 28, 223 - 2t, 42c, 43p
23. Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers), 2, 0
Stats and facts:
• The total test caps for the Springbok starting line-up is 466. There are 146 caps in the backline with 320 caps amongst the forwards. On the bench there are a further 101 caps.
• The average caps per player in the backline are 21, the forwards 40 while the players on the bench average 13.
The average age of the starting 15 is 26.
• Eben Etzebeth will play in his record 37th consecutive Test match in this tournament.
• Tendai Mtawarira will play in his 20th Test match against Australia.
• It will be a first Test against Australia for the following players: André Esterhuizen, Cheslin Kolbe, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Marco van Staden, Embrose Papier and Damian Willemse.
Match officials:
• To date, Garcès has refereed in 45 Test matches. The Springboks were involved in 12 of his Test matches, of which they were victorious in three.
• The two assistant referees are Wayne Barnes and Matt Carley, while Graham Hughes will be the TMO. All three officials are from England.
The stadium:
• The Springboks played their first Test match on this ground when they were victorious against New Zealand by 13 points (18-5) on 20 August 2011.
• That was their only victory in the 2011 Tri-Nations (now the Castle Lager Rugby Championship). To date, the Springboks are unbeaten on this ground.
• South Africa has played in five Test matches in this stadium. Their record: P: 5; W: 4; D: 1; PF: 143; PA: 53; TF: 14; TA: 5; Average score: 29-11; Win%: 80%.
• Top scorers at this stadium are: Elton Jantjies, 28 (2 Tests), Morné Steyn, 27 (2 Tests) and JP Pietersen, 15 (3 Tests). Morné Steyn holds the record for most points in a match when he scored all points (18) against the All Blacks in 2011.
Record against Australia:
• South Africa’s overall record in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship against Australia is: P: 48; W: 22; L: 23; D: 3; PF: 1 067; PA: 1 057; TF: 101; TA: 104; Average score: 22-22. Win%: 46%.
• South Africa’s overall record against Australia is: P: 86; W: 46; L: 37; D: 3; PF: 1 675; PA: 1 521; TF: 195; TA: 155; Average score: 19-18. Win%: 53%.
• South Africa’s biggest win against Australia was in 2008 in Johannesburg when the Springboks ran in eight tries to win by 53-8. On that occasion, Jongi Nokwe became the first Springbok to score four tries in a Test against Australia.