The Springboks are hoping a number of positional switches and a few new faces will give them the boost they need to hit back against Australia when the sides clash at the Allianz Stadium in the fourth round of the Rugby Championship on Saturday.
Australia v South Africa
Saturday 3 September
11:35
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
To Win Match
Australia 17/20 | Draw 20/1 | South Africa 1/1
Handicap
Australia (-1.5) 9/10 | South Africa (+1.5) 9/10
The Boks copped a 17-25 loss to the Wallabies in Adelaide a week ago in what was a seriously poor performance from the world champions. Several senior statesmen simply weren’t up to scratch, as Dave Rennie’s men made the most of a strong start to take control of the contest.
The South Africans are still looking for a first away win over the men in gold since 2013. Another defeat this weekend would effectively put paid to their title hopes. It would also mean the side will be in serious danger of finishing the year with a win rate of less than 50% considering away Tests in Dublin, Marseille and London still lie in wait in November.
In the most notable changes among Jacques Nienaber’s run-on side, Damian Willemse is picked at flyhalf and Willie Le Roux returns at fullback. To say Handre Pollard disappointed in his last outing would be an understatement, so there’s hope Willemse will channel his inspirational form from the No 15 jumper to first-receiver.
Le Roux’s influence as a secondary playmaker also has the potential to unleash the wide men, though the absence of Lukhanyo Am in midfield will be felt.
Nothing better than watching your front row in full flight 🤩
— Springboks (@Springboks) August 31, 2022
Silky hands ✅
Running lines ✅
Complete composure ✅
Try time ✅#AUSvRSA #StrongerTogether #StrongerForever #CastleRugbyChampionship pic.twitter.com/VLYq5GOnrj
The hosts’ run-on XV is unchanged. If the Boks’ set-pieces and kicking game malfunction again, the likes of Marika Koroibete and Len Ikitau will exploit the ensuing backfield disorganisation just as they did in round three.
That said, with Malcolm Marx, Deon Fourie, Duane Vermuelen and Kwagga Smith all named in the squad, the Aussies’ breakdown will be under assault from minute one.
Verdict: South Africa 1/1
The Boks should hit back here with a typical backs-against-the-wall performance. The changes Nienaber’s made look like good ones and should bolster the side enough to clinch a rare win in Australia and keep them in the hunt for the championship.
Teams
Wallabies
15 Reece Hodge, 14 Tom Wright, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Jed Holloway, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper (c).
Substitutes: 16 David Porecki, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Pete Samu, 22 Jake Gordon, 23 Andrew Kellaway.
Springboks
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Substitutes: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Kwagga Smith, 20 Duane Vermeulen, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Frans Steyn, 23 Warrick Gelant.
