The Springboks will be looking to get their Rugby Championship campaign back on track when they face Australia in Adelaide.
Australia not a happy hunting ground for the Boks
It’s safe to say that the Springboks’ record Down Under is pretty abysmal. Since their first Tri-Nations meeting back in 1996, the Wallabies have hosted the Boks on 29 occasions, winning 23 of those meetings. There have been two draws while the South Africans have only tasted victory four times.
Jacques Nienaber raised a few eyebrows, naming his side a day earlier than he would normally do so. There were a couple of surprises with Joseph Dweba packing down at hooker at the expense of Malcolm Marx who starts from the bench.
Warrick Gelant cracks the nod on the wing with Cheslin Kolbe (broken jaw) and Kurt-Lee Arendse (suspension) both ruled out. The Boks’ brains trust have also opted for the five-three split on the bench for this week’s clash after very early injuries to Faf de Klerk and Jessie Kriel forced Nienaber to throw on one of his two backline players early doors in both All Blacks Tests.
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When and where to watch?
You’d best set your alarms for this one. While it’s not quite as bad as the 04:30 kick-offs we were used to in the 90s and early 2000s, you’ll want to be set-up in front of the TV by 07:30 latest. If you want to watch the pre-match build-up, you’ll be looking at 06:30.
The game will be broadcast on SuperSport Grandstand (Channel 201) on DStv.
Betting Odds
The Springboks come into this game as the favourites, with Hollywoodbets giving them a 4-point handicap against Dave Rennie’s men.
To Win Match
Australia 15/10 | Draw 20/1 | South Africa 11/20
Handicap
Australia (+4.5) 9/10 | South Africa (-4.5) 9/10
Adelaide Oval
Interestingly, this will only be the third time that the Adelaide Oval has hosted Test rugby. The first match came in the 2003 Rugby World Cup where Australia ran out 142-0 victors against Nambia. The second – in 2004 – saw the Wallabies beat the Pacific Islanders (remember that team?) 29-14.
Teams
Australia
Reece Hodge, Tom Wright, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Marika Koroibete, Noah Lolesio, Nic White, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Jed Holloway, Matt Philip, Rory Arnold, Allan Alaalatoa, Folau Fainga’a, James Slipper (c).
Reserves: Dave Porecki, Scott Sio, Taniela Tupou, Darcy Swain, Rob Leota, Pete Samu, Tate McDermott, Andrew Kellaway.
Springboks
Damian Willemse, Warrick Gelant, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (c), Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Joseph Dweba, Ox Nche
Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Franco Mostert, Kwagga Smith, Jaden Hendrikse, Elton Jantjies, Frans Steyn
