The specific epithet austrocapense refers to this species' native range on the southern part of Cape York Peninsula in Australia.

Inflorescences are 9–18 cm long and produce pink or red flowers that bloom from April to July in their native range.

Its typical habitat has been reported as coarse white sandy soils on low hills or intermittent watercourses.

Dominant vegetation in association with its habitat include Eucalyptus tetrodonta, E. clarksoniana, Melaleuca viridiflora, M. nervosa, and Xanthorrhoea johnsonii.

S. austrocapense is most closely related to S. multiscapum, but differs by the shorter leaves and absent paracorolla.