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Springboks still have their aura: Cheika

29th September, 2016
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After three consecutive defeats, the South Africans are under intense local pressure and scrutiny as they prepare to host Australia in Saturday’s Test at Loftus Versfeld (Sunday morning AEST).

The result itself will have no bearing on the Rugby Championship but it is a crucial match for both teams – the Wallabies need a win to keep momentum rolling ahead of upcoming clashes against Argentina and New Zealand, while the Springboks and their coach Alister Coetzee need a win to keep their increasingly vocal critics at bay.

But Cheika flatly dismissed talk they are no longer the intimidating opposition they once were.

“I’d say that’s coming from people who have never had to go on the field against them,” Cheika told reporters in Johannesburg.

“It’s easy to say that when you haven’t played against them … they’re one of the traditional powerhouses of world rugby and that doesn’t go away.

“All that other stuff is rubbish.

“I don’t think that the last two games that we have played count for much and I don’t think what they’ve done in the last couple of games counts for much either.

“I’m sure we’re going to see the best Springbok team and we’ve got to bring our game as well. We’ll see where we end up.”

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Coetzee has swung the selection axe, dropping halves Faf de Klerk and Elton Jantjies for Rudy Paige, who will make his starting debut, and his former Bulls teammate, the experienced Morne Steyn.

Pat Lambie also takes over at fullback for his first Test since suffering concussion in June’s series opener against Ireland, and while the Springbok pack is unchanged, there are a further five changes on the bench,

Cheika described Steyn and Paige’s comfort and familiarity with the Pretoria venue as a “real bonus” for South Africa.

“(Lambie) will give them an extra piece of security in the halves as well, he’s a quality player,” Cheika said.

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