The Wallabies failed to achieve a drought-breaking win at Loftus Versfeld in the early hours of Sunday morning, falling short by eight points against the Springboks.
All the wash-up from Springboks vs Wallabies:
» LORD: Steyn’s boot sinks wasteful Wallabies
» Match report: Wallabies fall short
» Five talking points
» McMahon injures ankle
» What changes should the Wallabies make for Argentina?
» DIY player ratings
» Watch highlights from the match
Final score
Springboks 18
Wallabies 10
This early Sunday morning game sees the Wallabies travelling to Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, South Africa to play the Springboks. Join The Roar from 1:05am (AEST) for all the live action of this first Rugby Championship fifth round match.
The Wallabies have somewhat begun to resurrect a disappointing 2016 with two wins on the trot heading into this match, and that includes a victory over the Springboks in Brisbane three weeks ago.
South Africa is on a reverse trend, losing all three of their recent away fixtures and will be looking to reverse this trend back on home soil.
The Wallabies have named a predictable line-up, only the one enforced change to the starting side with Sean McMahon replacing David Pocock.
The Springboks have rung the changes this week in direct contrast, particularly in the backs. A welcome return to the squad, Patrick Lambie will start at fullback with Johaan Goosen dropping out of the 23, while in the halves Morne Steyn and Rudy Paige take over for Elton Jantjes and Faf de Klerk, also dropped from the 23 altogether.
The other notable change sees Lood De Jager return from injury to the bench as lock cover while Willie le Roux celebrates a return to the national squad with a spot on the pine.
The Springboks have named a 6/2 bench for this match, suggesting a torrid forward-orientated approach at altitude.
The Wallabies will look to play with width and continue on with the improvements made over the course of the championship, particularly at set piece which still appeals as a likely area for the Springboks to target.
It looks with the Springboks, given the selection of Steyn at first five, will play for territory and try and pressure Australia’s forwards at their end of the park.
Some key match-ups to watch this morning will be Adam Coleman, the young rising star of the Wallaby tight five up against one of the World’s best in Eben Eztebeth, the Springbok mainstay. A real test for Coleman today away from home in a hostile environment.
Quade Cooper up against Steyn will be another key matchup with their respective performances likely to heavily influence the match result and two very different style of players to boot while Will Genia, who has been in outstanding form this season, will be looking to dominate his inexperienced opposite Rudy Paige at halfback.
Tip – Wallabies by 6.
Despite Australia’s poor overall record at this particular venue and at altitude I feel this side contains more experience and has a more settled look about them than their South African counterparts.
Join The Roar from 1:05am (AEST) for all the live action.
nickbrisbane
Guest
Shades of Nasty Booter!
taylorman
Roar Guru
Picked Boks by 10 so not far off. Bar NZ every RC match has gone with the host. The three teams are even in that respect. Thought Steyn would make a difference. In matches where not a lot is happening he'll always be useful with his boot. One try? Oh dear...
Faith
Guest
Frankly I can't understand how the Wallabies lost that game. The Boks attack is non-existent. So poor in the basics. They did not show a single attacking threat that could end up in a try. If they play like this against the ABs they'll cop 50 ... And then again the Wallabies seem to fold when they get hit hard ... their effort in first 20 mins disappeared after Boks started finding them in hard tackles in the inside ...
Diggercane
Guest
Blogging with Spanish would be fun.
Digby
Roar Guru
Thanks Rob, though if Barnes was reffing my blogging, I am sure he would have found fault! ;)
Digby
Roar Guru
Very jealous Nobes, enjoy the match!
Digby
Roar Guru
Thanks all for joining in here on the Roar and hope you enjoyed the blog. I will back in about four hours to cover the second clash of the fifth round with Argentina hosting New Zealand from Buenos Aires. Hope to catch you then!
Nobrain
Guest
Understand, but he is been seek and difficult. i am working on it.
Redsback
Guest
Cooper's worst passing game in a while. His runners were either mistiming or he was choosing the wrong man. Either way, from a big QC fan, it was disappointing. Dane Haylett Petty was superb. Should go to 15. Folau to the wing, Hodge to 12. All to defend in their proper positions. We are all making these calls. It seems to me that ever since McCabe wss played out of position at 12, everyone other than the Wallabies coach has bern able to see the obvious changes thst need to be made. But one after the other: Deans, McKenzie and now Cheika have failed to make obvious changes because they have been finding ways to try to shoehorn favoured players (Foley and Mumm in this instance) into positions where they dont belong. Fair enough if there is no other decent option, but that's simply not the case and it's costing us with a disjointed team. I sincetely hope thst if McMahon is out, he takes the opportunity to select the right team
Harry Jones
Expert
A win Is A win
Digby
Roar Guru
Oh it was? Didn't catch that.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
Are you kidding? You know Mumm will get heaps of blame on here.
Harry Jones
Expert
Yes, unbelievable that RAF Lt Tally Ho and the Other Mummy (non-Elton) still getting all those minutes
RobC
Roar Guru
It was that, a few more things Harry. There was more deception in general play individual skills and interplay. I expect some sacred cows to be sacrificed soon, to lift their game. Matricide, downing fighter pilots. Maybe more.
Nobrain
Guest
A win is a win Harry, good call Digs. The panel is tie and the crowd is leading. Off to Pumas game with Shop. Cheers
Harry Jones
Expert
Inside passes, RobC. Those were working. Then they started getting rocked in the tackle. And then as you say, scrum crumbled, and LO went wonky
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Commentary said he was injured but I didn't see anything. Will have to check in the morning
RobC
Roar Guru
Digga! Izzy was naughty. I was nice.
RobC
Roar Guru
Gday Mr Chook! What a let down. Now I think the WBs should aim for a solid win in the next visit to Pretoria!
RobC
Roar Guru
cheers RT. I liked what I saw, despite being the disappointing result. It was disjointed by WBs, but the journey of change can get messy