'Pressure is coming': Wallabies bracing for Bok-lash in the trenches

Under no illusions, Australia are bracing for some fierce backlash from South Africa in the two sides’ return Rugby Championship stoush in Cape Town.

While delighted with his side’s resilience and growing belief shown in Saturday’s colossal comeback win over the back-to-back world champions in Johannesburg, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt isn’t getting carried away.

He believes the Springboks took their foot off the pedal after motoring to a 22-0 lead inside 18 minutes before succumbing to the Wallabies at Ellis Park for the first time since 1963.

Rassie Erasmus uses the ‘s’ word

Rassie Erasmus uses the ‘s’ word

“I’ve coached enough teams because I’m really old,” the 60-year-old Kiwi said.

“I’ve had teams who got a very, very rapid start. It can sometimes just cause a bit of a lapse in effort and concentration. I think they just gave us a little bit of belief.

“As well as (man of the match) Fraser (McReight) did and the other players did, we were probably a little bit lucky because Pieter-Steph (du Toit) at one stage just went to pick and go and he just knocked it on.”

Schmidt said it was unlikely the Springboks would repeat such mistakes next weekend.

“There were a couple of uncharacteristic errors from the Springboks where, I think next week, if they pick and go there, he (du Toit) is such a powerful, athletic man, he will be a handful,” he said.

“It was probably a mix of us and a little bit of inaccuracy from the Springboks because when they were accurate, you saw that first 20 minutes.

“I saw wave after wave and even that very first drive was impressive.

“We probably got a little bit lucky, even when Andre (Esterhuizen) went down the left-hand touch a couple of times.

“One of the times, Tom Wright went 70 metres and scored at the other end.”

Schmidt says the Wallabies can’t expect a repeat of the Springboks’ second-half lapse when the two teams meet again next Sunday morning (AEST) at DHL Stadium.

“We know that pressure is coming,” he said.

“I’ve coached against the Boks with a few other international teams and come out second.

“I know whether they’re favourites or not, they’re a heck of a team.”

Lock Will Skelton and veteran flyhalf James O’Connor revealed the Wallabies quietly celebrated while also reviewing the epic 38-22 triumph on laptops, knowing full well the Boks will likely respond in ruthless fashion.

“A lot of the boys are already onto next week. The boys are reviewing, everyone’s clipping stuff,” Skelton said.

“We know what’s going to come. They’re going to try and punch you in the face this week.

“So we’re going to have to have a good week of preparation again, and really fight until the end.”

After playing a lead role in his first Test since 2022, 35-year-old O’Connor said the Wallabies “enjoyed each other’s company” but were not getting carried away.

“That’s the thing about rugby – you’re already on to next week. I know my mind went there,” he said.

“I thought straight away: ‘What are they going to be coming with – 6-2 bench, back to basics, bomb squad, aerial contest?

“They’re going to meet us in the trenches there, so I’m already thinking about what’s coming and then just focusing on recovery.”

With winger Dylan Pietsch (broken jaw), utility back Ben Donaldson (abductor muscle) and prop James Slipper (concussion) all returning home, Filipo Daugunu, Hamish Stewart and Rhys van Nek will fly to South Africa to join the Wallabies.