Springboks wary of wounded Wallabies
South Africa thumped Australia in their clash in Brisbane 12 months ago but they expect a different proposition ‘and a brand new game’ in Perth
The Wallabies will rely on their maligned forwards to provide a platform if they are to reverse a three-match losing run against South Africa in their Rugby Championship test in Perth on Saturday.
The Australian pack was outplayed by the world champion All Blacks in a 51-20 mauling in Auckland a fortnight ago and coach Ewen McKenzie has largely stuck with the same combination against the powerful Springboks.
The forecast is for wet and windy conditions, giving the South Africans the edge in their traditional dominance of the set piece.
We’re not banking on [the Wallabies] holding the scars of last year. They’ve come a long way. We see it as a brand new challenge and a brand new game
The Wallabies were smashed 38-12, four tries to nil, by the Springboks in their 2013 Rugby Championship test in Australia and the home side are looking to win back the Mandela Challenge Plate, which they lost to South Africa last year after holding it for three seasons.
"They've got two things that we want," Wallabies' skipper Michael Hooper said. "They're number two in the world and they've got the Mandela Plate."
The Springboks have beefed up their pack for an expected physical battle with the Wallaby eight by the inclusion of Marcell Coetzee, line-out general Victor Matfield, Adriaan Strauss and Tendai Mtawarira.
"Maybe they might still feel the psychological pressure of what happened in the past," Springboks skipper Jean de Villiers said.
"But we're not banking on them holding the scars of last year. They've come a long way.
