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There has been much talk about the challenge both the Wallabies and Springboks face this weekend. Excitement is matched equally with enormous apprehension on both sides.
The importance of this match is huge.
The Springboks’ recent record against the Wallabies has been disappointing to say the least. Out of their last nine encounters, South Africa have lost seven. The Wallabies are coming into this game having succumbed to a British and Irish Lions series defeat and a Bledisloe Cup whitewash.
Regardless of all the talk, pages of statistics and predictions posted on The Roar this week, most of you would agree that this is a tough one to call.
The build-up has been quite interesting this week. There have been quite a few articles and posts mentioning the Springboks’ dominance over the Wallabies, pre-isolation, and how this has been neutralised post isolation.
Besides a recent run of good form for the Wallabies over the Springboks, results between these two teams have been pretty much even since 1992. As a result, a fierce rivalry has been developing between these two sides over the last twenty years.
There is something about a Wallabies/Springboks Test match. It is a massive clash in playing styles and rugby cultures that has the potential to produce a classic encounter each time. And there have been plenty of them over the last 20 years.
Some of the most memorable matches between them are the World Cup opener in 1995, the World Cup semi -final in 1999, the tri-nations finals of 1998 and 2004, and the World Cup quarter final in 2011. Not to mention the Springbok’s resounding 61-22 victory over Australia in 1997 (the most points Australia has ever conceded in a Test match) or Australia’s 49-0 thrashing of South Africa as recently as 2006.
I won’t go into the details of these matches, and there have of course been many more classic encounters between these two sides over the years, but it is apparent that some of South Africa’s most important victories, and devastating defeats, have been at the hands of their modern rivals, Australia.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.