South Africa v Australia: Everything you need to know
Australia will be wary of a South Africa backlash in Bloemfontein on Saturday following their record Rugby Championship hammering by New Zealand.
The Springboks received an eight-try, 57-0 drubbing at the hands of the world champions in Albany earlier this month.
South Africa’s heaviest defeat against the All Blacks ended their six-match unbeaten run and head coach Allister Coetzee is expecting a positive response this weekend.
Full-back Dillyn Leyds will make his first Test start and flanker Francois Louw returns after Coetzee made four chances to his squad.
Australia have historically struggled at altitude, so Wallabies fans may not be holding their breath expecting a victory at Toyota Stadium.
The two sides, realistically battling for second spot behind New Zealand, played out a 23-23 draw in Perth before Michael Cheika’s men beat Argentina 45-20 last time out.
Izack Rodda, Jack Dempsey and Marika Koroibete will make their first Australia Test starts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXZOcDSmJXw
HEAD TO HEAD
South Africa: 46
Australia: 36
Draw: 2
KEY PLAYERS
Francois Louw (South Africa) – The experienced Louw returned to his homeland from Bath after getting the call to play in his first Test for a year. The 32-year-old is eager to make up for lost time and could have a major influence on who comes out on top.
Israel Folau (Australia) – The wing has made more metres than any other player in this year’s Rugby Championship so far and also ranks third for defenders beaten, second for offloads and second for line breaks. Australia will need more of the same on Saturday.
THE LINE-UPS
South Africa: Andries Coetzee, Dillyn Leyds, Jesse Kriel, Jan Serfontein, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Ross Cronje; Tendai Mtawarira, Malcolm Marx, Ruan Dreyer, Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi, Francois Louw, Uzair Cassiem.
Australia: Israel Folau, Marika Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Kurtley Beale, Reece Hodge, Bernard Foley, Will Genia; Scott Sio, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Sekope Kepu, Izack Rodda, Adam Coleman, Jack Dempsey, Michael Hooper, Sean McMahon.
PRE-MATCH TALK
Allister Coetzee (South Africa): “We have buried Auckland. It was a sub-standard performance from us that is now in the past as we plan a turn-around strategy. The key now is how we respond against the Wallabies – it is going to be massive.”
Michael Hooper (Australia) on coping with the thin air at altitude: “We know it’s going to be tough 10 minutes in. It’s not just for us solely; the South Africans have to do it as well. They’ve been out our way in the last couple of weeks and their bodies will have to get used to it.”
OPTA STATS
– The Springboks have won eight of their last nine home games, only losing to New Zealand in that time last year.
– South Africa’s last game at Toyota Stadium was in 2010 when they lost 39-41 to Australia, ending a run of five victories at the venue spanning 2002-2009.
– Bernard Foley is set to win his 50th cap for the Wallabies, he needs just one more point to become the fourth player to score 500 points for Australia.
– The Springboks have averaged more kicks from hand (24) and fewer passes (132) or carries (104) than any other side in the Rugby Championship this season.
– South Africa’s Malcolm Marx tops the charts for turnovers won (8) in this tournament so far.
Comments on RugbyPass
What is Ben’s point exactly? Cause if it’s that the ABs should’ve won that game, then yes I think every AB fan would agree with that. But the DIDN'T. You need luck to go your way and it went the Springboks way, just as it went the ABs way in 2011. Given that this article is written 6 months after the final shows that Ben is still incredibly butthurt. Time to move on Mr Smith. Maybe join something that suits your bias… i’m thinking the Australian commentary panel?
9 Go to commentsSA players and fans calling the irish arrogant, ooh the irony!!
78 Go to commentsPersonally i’d have BB off the bench and DMac as 10. BB seems to have more ‘average’ games and less ability to mix it up on the fly than DMac,
6 Go to commentsBen’s Myth History is written by the guy who does the engraving on the trophy. Took Ben six months to write this piece.
9 Go to commentsThis article should have been written immediately after the final, not half a year later. While the content of the article is accurate with the references to the cruel bounce to Savea right before the try line, Etzebeth’s cynical infringement, and the inconsistent cards, some of the hyperbole emotional statements are unnecessary and gaslighting. The fact remains that the Springboks took their scoring opportunities. They had amazing defence throughout the entire match (limiting the ABs to one try is very respectable), their scrum was pretty good and they had quite a solid lineout despite having a part-time hooker throwing the ball in. Let’s give credit where credit is due and move forward. The Springboks won because they know how to win big games through strong defence and kicking, and they had lady luck on their side on the day. The All Blacks miraculously made the final despite everyone’s predictions and could’ve won the whole damn thing with 14 men who should’ve taken better advantage of their scoring chances and committed less mistakes (shoddy lineouts, dropped balls, some poor kicks and passing, etc), and an average coach and captain with some questionable tactics (Jordie kicking for goal late in the game from a dodgy position and perhaps the wrong game plan overall). Time to move on.
9 Go to commentsThere’s no doubt the All Blacks were the better team on the day, but it’s not enough to be better, you also have to have luck.
9 Go to commentsI dunno, Ben. It does feel a little like you are just in denial that the Springboks are really good. Good enough to win two straight world cups.
9 Go to commentsAre we still talking about the World Cup final in May? The final took place more than 6 months ago. Isn’t it time to move on?
9 Go to commentsIt looks like the trauma counseling is not helping the Ben Smith troll much. He is still trying to convince his little brain that his loser team won the RWC.
9 Go to commentsOh dear, Jon. Ben Smith’s Saffer clickbait was at least backed up by some rationale!
9 Go to commentsThe more direct approach to your past time this time I see Ben. Look, it doesn’t need to be said, anyone watching the match knows the ABs played better and just got robbed by the officiating, but lets face it, their dominance in the match was only because South Africa choked and forgot how to play rugby with the ball. South Africa were still the better side. Of course Ireland and France were also better sides that New Zealand. Possibly even England on WC performances.
9 Go to commentsGreat mythology - no surprises Ox didn't talk about being driven backwards by Laulala in the RWC final!
4 Go to commentsJust shows how a hand up can help as long as the invitation is accepted. Good story.
1 Go to commentsKarma is a powerful force
22 Go to commentsFrench players said the same thing to the All Blacks after their pool match in 2011. But the French can back up their s**t talk with action.
78 Go to commentsThe problem is the officiating & changing rulings,& TMOs.Last weekend I saw a 9 penalized for a crooked scrum feed! the last time I saw that rule applied was In about 1975!!!!!!!!.Late or not the incident is history & Australians alleging that Kiwi rugby supporters wear eye patches is a bit rich.Try listening to Australian Commentators.Every new player who has an above average game is suddenly the next great sensation.
22 Go to commentsEvery Irish fan in the stadium celebrated like they had won the tournament after the SA and Scotland games so yeah, the way Etzebeth tells it stacks up. It was definitely ‘In Their Heads’!
78 Go to commentsEtsebeth is right about 1 thing. Boks after winning a RWC have been crap. Only in 2009 did they reach the heights of what a RWC Champion should look like but that was only after 3rd/last in the TriN 2008. Lost a home series in 1996 (vs ABs); didnt win even 1 x Rugby Championship after 2019. ABs and Wallabies and England at least played like Champions after winning RWC.
78 Go to commentsCrusaders will knock one of the top seeds out in the first round, hope it’s not my Chiefs
28 Go to commentsEben really seems like just a deeply unpleasant man.
78 Go to comments