Boks to seal Tri-Nations title?
2008-07-18 07:43
Perth - The world champion South Africans could virtually seal the 2008 Tri-Nations rugby title if they beat Australia at Subiaco Oval on Saturday.
The Springboks put a week of turmoil behind them last
Saturday when they beat the All Blacks 30-28 for their first
win in Dunedin, and first in New Zealand in a decade, following
a 19-8 loss in Wellington the week before.
They meet the Wallabies in Perth before heading home for a
two-week break ahead of a Test against Argentina, then their
final Tri-Nations games against New Zealand and Australia
(twice).
If the Springboks are to win in Australia then Perth, with
its large population of South African expatriates, is the most
likely place.
South Africa's only two Test wins in Australia over the
past decade have come at Subiaco Oval, a 22-19 triumph three
years ago and a 14-13 victory in 1998.
In the other two Tests played in Perth, the Springboks drew
14-14 in 2001 and lost narrowly 30-26 in 2004.
The other factor in the Springboks' favour is that the
Wallabies are having their first Test match under the
Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) while South Africa have
played two Tests against New Zealand under the laws.
'Diminish'
Australian coach Robbie Deans said South Africa had adapted
well to the ELVs and had added attacking flair to their
traditional forward power.
"You only had to look at the two Tests between the All
Blacks and the Springboks to recognise the physicality didn't
diminish at all," said Deans.
"But they were a little bit more prepared to use the width of the ground and, to be frank, that makes them harder because you can't presume.
"It makes them a more challenging opponent to defend
against.
"We won't be able to be conservative against a side that has the physical capabilities of the South Africans and get
home."
Deans has rushed veteran lock Nathan Sharpe back from
injury to try and counter the dominant Springbok second row
pairing of Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha.
Lightly
However, Australia's greatest challenge will come in the
scrum, which struggled against a second string French side in
the lead-up to the Tri-Nations.
Matfield said the Springboks would not be taking the
Australian pack lightly.
"We've come here before and been troubled at scrum-time," he told reporters. "Good scrumming is like good defence, it's all about focus and what you do on the day.
"We're going to have to be aggressive in that department."
South Africa will be missing their two first choice
hookers, with John Smit out injured and Bismarck Du Plessis
suspended.
Schalk Brits will start in the number two jersey with the
uncapped Adriaan Strauss on the bench.
South African coach Peter de Villiers has opted for five
forwards and two backs on the replacements bench, signalling
his intention to attack the Wallabies through the forwards.
Australia: 15-Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14-Peter Hynes,
13-Stirling Mortlock (captain), 12-Berrick Barnes, 11-Lote
Tuqiri, 10-Matt Giteau, 9-Luke Burgess, 8-Wycliff Palu,
7-George Smith, 6-Rocky Elsom, 5-Nathan Sharpe, 4-James
Horwill, 3-Al Baxter, 2-Stephen Moore, 1-Benn Robinson.
South Africa: 15-Conrad Jantjes, 14-JP Pietersen,
13-Francois Steyn, 12-Jean de Villiers, 11-Bryan Habana,
10-Butch James, 9-Ricky Januarie, 8-Pierre Spies, 7-Juan Smith,
6-Schalk Burger, 5-Victor Matfield (captain), 4-Bakkies Botha,
3-CJ van der Linde, 2-Schalk Brits, 1-Gurthro Steenkamp.