With hopes of a third Tri-Nations title all but gone, South Africa will be looking to restore pride when they clash with Australia in Durban today, the first of two back-to-back Tests today.
Surprise winners in Dunedin against New Zealand just over a month ago, South Africa have lost touch with their Australasian rivals after suffering defeats in Perth and Cape Town, leaving them on just five points from four matches.
New Zealand, 19-0 winners against the Springboks in Cape Town last weekend, top the competition log with 14 points from five matches. Australia are second with nine points from three matches.
A second consecutive victory over the ’Boks’ by Australia this weekend would boost their chances of winning this year’s competition and provide a confidence boost ahead of their trip to Johannesburg next week. Then it is off to Brisbane to take on the All Blacks in what is looking like a title decider.
But, while confident after an impressive competition start under new coach Robbie Deans, Australia will know they have a far from flattering history in the republic. The Wallabies haven’t won in South Africa since 2000 and on top of that, South Africa will be keen to exact revenge on their opponents who beat the ’Boks comfortably in Perth on July 19.
Also, the ’Boks will want to silence their critics following last weekend’s heavy defeat to the All Blacks.
The last time the teams met, Australia won 16-9, but since that day, Deans’ team have won once (34-19 over New Zealand) and lost once (39-10, also to New Zealand) so the visitors will also be looking to bounce back after defeat.
With three games still to play, Deans’ team are in a very favorable position to win the title and that motivation alone should see them up the ante today. On top of that, Deans has been able to recall fit-again flanker Rocky Elsom as well as lock Daniel Vickermann to his starting side.
His opposite, Springbok coach Peter de Villiers, has not been so fortunate. The ’Boks will be without key second row Bakkies Botha and wing Bryan Habana, who’re both injured, while regular captain John Smit is still out of action. De Villiers has handed rookie winger Jongi Nokwe just his second Test start in place of Habana on the wing, while Andries Bekker will join captain Victor Matfield in the second row.
But it is not in the scrumming or lineout departments where the ’Boks are in need of a step-up this week, but at the breakdowns. Elsom and George Smith had a field-day against the ’Boks in Perth, stealing plenty of ball, while in Cape Town a week ago, Richie McCaw, too, showed just why he is rated the world’s best openside flank when he forced a number of turn-overs for his team.
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