The Springboks’ challenge will be as psychological as it will be tactical when they take on the Wallabies in Perth on Sunday (11:45 kick-off SA time), writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.
ALSO READ: United Rugby Championship Predictions – Round 1.
Since the dawn of the Tri-Nations in the late 90s, the Boks have struggled to match the all-in spirit they have for battles against the All Blacks for Tests against Australia.
The South Africans would pour everything into a contest against the Kiwis, and often fail to match that physicality and intensity against the Wallabies the following week, resulting in them losing games they should’ve won.
Rassie Erasmus’ Boks find themselves in that predicament this week. Fresh off a famous 3-1 win over the All Blacks in the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, they have to find a way to get up for a one-off Test against a Wallabies team ranked seventh in the world.
These Wallabies are a far cry from the golden George Gregan-Stephen Larkham era, and yet, they were one of only two teams to beat the world No. 1 Boks last season. Not only that, they gave them a humiliating hiding on home soil, coming back from 22-0 down to triumph 38-22 at Ellis Park.
The men in Green and Gold redeemed themselves in the rematch in Cape Town a week later, but were made to work hard for their 30-22 win. That was the most recent meeting between the long-time rivals and showed that the Aussies are often tricky customers.
Of course, there’s a new wrinkle to them this year with the arrival of Les Kiss. The Wallabies are unbeaten since Kiss took over from Joe Schmidt as head coach in August, securing away series wins over both Japan and Argentina.
After edging the Brave Blossoms 35-32 to kick off the Kiss era, they thumped them 56-17 in the return match and beat the Pumas 27-21 before drawing the second game 28-all. This is a big step up for Kiss and company, but the opportunity to take on the double world champions should bring out the best in them.
After winning the Greatest Rivalry series, Siya Kolisi mentioned how Erasmus gets the best out of the players by reminding them who they are and who they play for – the whole of South Africa. That pride and patriotism, along with the competitive environment in the squad and professionalism, will power the Boks in this Perth mission.
In naming an overhauled team from the one that defeated the All Blacks 43-28 in Baltimore in the Greatest Rivalry finale, Erasmus has ensured his charges will bring fresh energy into the contest. Cohesion could be an issue, but many of these players have eagerly awaited this chance to push for a place in the first-choice match 23.
The Boks, who have won five of the last six games against Australia, including the last three Down Under, are set to dominate in the set pieces and showed in Baltimore that they can be lethal out wide and in transition.
Tightening up in defence, especially around the edges, remains a work-on, and the Wallabies’ backs will ask questions, but the Boks – with the safety net that is an experienced bench – should continue their winning ways.
Prediction: South Africa by 9.
Suggested Bet: South Africa -6.5 at 1.88.
