The Springboks get their 2024 Rugby Championship campaign underway in Queensland, with Rassie Erasmus’ side setting their sights on an improving Wallabies outfit. Here’s everything you need to know.
Boks looking to break four-game losing streak at Suncorp
It’s no secret that the Boks haven’t been particularly flash at Suncorp over the last few years. They now head to Brisbane as hot favourites against an Australian side still reeling from a disastrous World Cup under campaign under Eddie Jones.
News that the game at Suncorp has sold out will please RA bosses who have been battling the AFL and NRL for supporter share in recent years. This may be why the game is kicking off earlier than usual at 06:30, as opposed to the 11:45 slot we’ve become accustomed to over the last few years.
While back-to-back wins over Wales and a less-than-convincing 11-point victory over Georgia are encouraging, it’s difficult to see the hosts getting any joy against the Springboks who bring a whole new level of physicality to proceedings.
The big news from of the South African camp ahead of their Rugby Championship opener is Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu earning a first Test start at 10 with Handre Pollard dropping to the bench.
The Stormers’ young gun has certainly proven that he can handle himself at this level having played a starring role in Durban against Ireland after coming on off the bench early for Willie le Roux.
He’ll certainly be tested against the Wallabies’ hard-running, big-hitting midfield duo of Hunter Paisami and Len Ikitau. Eligh Louw is the other first-time starter for the Boks, with the Bulls man packing down at eight. He’ll look to nail down a starting berth with the suspended incumbent Jasper Wiese set to return soon.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 🇿🇦 in his first proper hit out at test level:
— RugbyStat + Cat 📊🐈⬛ (@HuwGriffinRugby) July 16, 2024
78 minutes
62 metres 🥇
8 carries
6 kicks
6 defenders beaten 🥇
4 passes
2/3 tackles
1 offload
1 dominant hit
0 penalties conceded
Remember, he has STARTED just 1 pro game at fullback #RSAvsIRE #RSAvIRE pic.twitter.com/ILeGaGg2Br
How to watch?
You’re going to want to set the alarms because this one gets underway early on Saturday 10 August. You can catch the build-up starting at 05:30 on SuperSport Grandstand (channel 201 on DStv) with the match set to kick-off at 06:30.
You can switch over to SuperSport Rugby (channel 211 on DStv) immediately after to watch the All Blacks tackle Argentina in Wellington.
Betting odds
The Springboks are more fancies by the bookies coming into this one. Here at Hollywoodbets, we make them 9.5-point favourites at the time of writing. Check out the match betting and handicap spread below:
To Win Match
Australia 11/4 | Draw 25/1 | South Africa 2/7
Handicap
Australia (+9.5) 9/10 | South Africa (-9.5) 9/10
Suncorp Stadium
Suncorp is not a happy hunting ground for the Springboks. The side has endured plenty of pain in Brisbane over the years. The low point being that infamous 49-0 Tri Nations drubbing at the hands of a a star-studded Wallabies outfit featuring George Gregan, George Smith, Stephen Larkham, Matt Giteau, Stirling Mortlock and every Saffa’s favourite Aussie villain, Clyde Rathbone.
South Africa’s last win at the ground came back in 2013, when Heyneke Meyer’s side – featuring a young Siya Kolisi from the bench – stormed to a 38-12 victory. It’s been all pain since then, with the Boks losing four on the spin at the ground.
JDV 🤝 Kirchner 🤝 Willie
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) August 7, 2024
2013 was the last time the Springboks beat the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium 🇦🇺🇿🇦
Will it be a first win for South Africa in Brisbane in 11 years this weekend? pic.twitter.com/2AriNuYFVd
Last meeting & head-to-heads
The last time these two met the Springboks ran out comfortable 43-12 victors at fortress Loftus, with Kurt-Lee Arendse lighting up the encounter with a stunning hat-trick. The Wallabies – then under the tutelage of Jones – bookended the scoring with tries from Marika Koroibete in the seventh minute and Carter Gordon in the 81st.
- 8 July 2023: SA won 43-12 in Pretoria
- 3 September 2022: SA won 8-24 in Sydney
- 27 August 2022: Australia won 25-17 in Adelaide.
- 18 September 2021: Australia won 30-17 in Brisbane
- 11 September 2021: Australia won 28-26 in GC
Teams
The Springboks look the stronger of the two teams on paper. The hosts will need to find a way to live with the relentless physicality of the World Champions if they are going to find a route to victory.
Australia
Tom Wright; Andrew Kellaway, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu; Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon; Harry Wilson, Carlo Tizzano*, Rob Valetini; Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Nick Frost, Allan Alaalatoa, Matt Faessler, Issac Kailea.
Replacements: Josh Nasser, James Slipper, Zane Nonggorr, Luke Reimer, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Dylan Pietsch.
Springboks
Willie le Roux; Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach; Elrigh Louw, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain); RG Snyman, Eben Etzebeth; Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche.
Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Ben-Jason Dixon, Marco van Staden, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Handre Pollard.
* on debut
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