A number of South Africans will look to make an impression ahead of the World Cup when they take on Australia in the Rugby Championship opener at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday.
With Rassie Erasmus having split his Springbok squad into two for this weekend’s clash as well as next Saturday’s Test against the All Blacks, the performances of a number of individuals will be brought into the spotlight. While the Boks will naturally aim to win the competition, each of the Tests leading up to the World Cup will effectively serve as a trial run.
South Africa v Australia
20 July
Emirates Airline Park
17:05
To Win (80 Mins)
South Africa 5/10
Draw 25/1
Australia 16/10
Handicap
South Africa (-5.5) 9/10
Australia (+5.5) 9/10
Eben Etzebeth will lead out the Boks in the continued injury-enforced absence of Siya Kolisi, with several experienced players also named in the matchday 23. Among them, Francois Louw, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Elton Jantjies will be crucial, while the return from injury of Bulls duo Lood de Jager and Jesse Kriel will also serve as a much-needed boost.
After eye-catching displays for Toulouse and the Stormers respectively, Rynhardt Elstadt and Herschel Jantjies will deservedly debut in the starting XV, while the imperious Lizo Gqoboka will earn his first Test cap should he make his way off the bench.
Former Sharks trio Marcell Coetzee (Ulster), Cobus Reinach (Northampton) and Frans Steyn (Montpellier) should also make their respective returns to the green and gold after prolonged periods in the international wilderness. They have each been named on the bench and will be serious contenders for places in the final World Cup squad when it is announced later this year.
With the news that the likes of Christian Lealiifano, Scott Sio and Marika Koroibete are all unavailable this weekend, Michael Cheika’s Wallabies have been dealt a serious blow in their hopes of claiming a first win on the Highveld in nine years.
The Australian franchises’ overseas results were again uninspiring in Super Rugby this season, and this, coupled with the fact that they come off their worst campaign since 1958, will do little to spark any confidence within the camp.
It’s anyone’s guess as to how they will lineup ahead of Saturday’s encounter, especially without Israel Folau and Lealiifano; the latter widely believed to have been the front-runner to the No 10 shirt after the wayward form of Bernard Foley.
Still though, the Brumbies’ set-pieces were arguably the most accurate in Super Rugby this year and that is sure to come through on Saturday. With a number of dangerous strike-runners in Samu Kerevi and Kurtley Beale, they will also pose a threat out wide if afforded enough time and space.
Verdict: South Africa (-5.5) 9/10
A lot will depend on Jantjies’ form at flyhalf, especially on the Highveld. The Boks boast a good mix within their ranks and should come away with a win of about five-points or more.
