Compared to Bledisloe Cup games, the annual home Test against South Africa used to be the bogey prize for those in search of Wallabies tickets every year – the equivalent of getting a pair of socks for Christmas while your sibling received a games console, a surfboard or a new bicycle.
Everybody remembers where they were for ‘the greatest game ever played’ against New Zealand in 2000, but I doubt even the players remember playing the Springboks at the same venue in Sydney just two weeks later.
Personally, watching the Wallabies run up a cricket score against the Boks at Suncorp in 2006 was as stultifying and narcolepsy-inducing as it gets compared to the gripping and tense Brisbane Bledisloe encounter that same year.
There have of course been many outstanding Tests between Australia and South Africa, but peculiarly, most have occurred almost exclusively outside of Australia.
Durban 2000 (the Stirling Mortlock kick), Bloemfentein 2010 (the Kurtley Beale kick), Wellington 2011 (the David Pocock semi-final) and of course the glorious, orgasmic, still scarcely believable semi-final of Twickenham 1999 were all for the most part (Wellington the exception) watched from the comfort of home, tucked up under the doona and trying vainly not to fall asleep at any stage.
Perhaps this night-owl relationship, coupled with our geographic closeness to New Zealand, and the Boks’ traditional power game has led to the perception of the South African Tests being less glamorous. (An oddity in world rugby considering many All Blacks’ fans consider their rivalry with South Africa to be the most prestigious in the game, and the fact that northern hemisphere teams still revel in the achievement of beating them.)
(AAP Image/Dan Peled)
Simply put, Australia versus South Africa is a rivalry hiding in plain sight.
Springboks of the past were absolutely awe-inspiring in their aggression and skill, with the likes of Os Du Rant, Ollie le Roux, Joost van der Westhuizen and the sublime Bryan Habana all unreal to watch. But the hatred wasn’t there, with the Bledisloe being as emotionally draining as it gets and the sheer pantomime and fun of the England rivalry taking up the rest (will the 76-0 win ever get old? In a word, no).
South African rugby has had well-documented struggles over the past couple of years, albeit it providing the world with one of the most joyous moments in sport this century – Japan’s victory over the Boks in Brighton at the 2015 World Cup.
The shoots of recovery were there in the 3-0 series victory over France (possibly missed by many as it was concurrent with the Lions tour and Australia’s mid-year Tests), and it has helped that Allister Coetzee has been given the time and resources to turn things around his way.
In saying that, it’s hard to see how this weekend’s Test is going to stoke the fires of many supporters, as the backdrop and build-up is just plain weird, with the arbitration decision, Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest’s subsequent press conference and an entire year’s worth of Sandgroper frustration completely overshadowing everything. Indeed, it seems everyone will have half an eye on the field and half on the stands to see if the planned protests, boycotts and different colour wearing will materialise.
Hopefully the on-field action will provide a spark, a talking point or a moment to give this fixture the needle it needs without resorting to the violence and thuggery of the 2002 and 2003 home Tests. At present the best moment in Perth Tests for me was Adam Ashley-Cooper making his debut minutes after lining up for a beer and a pie – let’s hope the beers and pies flow for all after a classic Test match on Saturday.
CJ
Guest
And it was a see sawing game with some great backline play (from memory) as well.
Muzzo
Guest
It may be good coaching Pieter, but why hasn't Faff De Klerk, been selected for this game? His game for Sale, he was outstanding, & even mentioned as being one of Sale's outstanding players. He is a very good No.9.
PeterK
Roar Guru
certainly looks that way, that the actual coaching is done by the assistants and Coetzee probably does the PC selections.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Janties > foley, Kriel > Kuridrani also Serfontain is a better 12 than Beale but Beale is a better rugby back just playing in the wrong position
zhenry
Guest
What a pathetic rant. I am not tired but feeling toey myself this morning: Your so used to propaganda you wouldn't know truth from c..p. At least the present govt is redressing the God awful balance and doesn't go on 'white' killing rampages. No no the Boks are the foulest and most brutal players on this earth, that's not being dirty, no such word, foul and brutal is the norm. McCaw didnt complain much but had to complain how SA were accosting him off the ball and from behind, now everyone does it. Thanks SA, no worries the AU media are rewriting history for you and the ABs cop it - nice one recently the farcicle probably rigged bug trial court session on the eve of Sydney ABvAU test, no no no Mr Decent just a coincidence. Why don't you do your Zulu dance as the great Boks did during their 100 years reign? Get the picture?
Kiwi in us
Guest
Thanks Gary, good luck to the OZ. I am probably stuck in a time warp of pre professional mindset. But was also lucky to be able to be a wounded AB supporter during the OZ golden years. You broke my spirit often. And will again.
Isupport2teamstheAB'sandanyoneplayingAustralia
Guest
Boks to dominate everywhere but the score board... Boks by a misleading 4-7 margin. Wobblies have had their one dig for the year albeit across two games.
Gary
Guest
Good on you Kiwi.
Muzzo
Guest
Yep Kiwi, it would also, be right, to say the Bokke, had the wood on NZ prior to the professional era. It was only, in the latter part of the 90's, that NZ forged ahead in the for & against. Cheers.
Totally agree, more ignorance is bliss than informed opinion.
SJ
Guest
The Bok pack is incredibly athletic . Bizarre comment.
Kiwi in us
Guest
Thanks Gary, I looked it up from your comment. I didn't know my stats and I underestimated how well oz had done in the professional era. Pre 1992 SA had the wood on oz with oz 8 to SA 21, but since 1992 oz has 28 wins to SA 25. It hasn't been nearly 100 years though, the first game was 1933. Also there might be two draws in there, if wiki is to be believed. Being educated in a rugby sence, is a throw away comment, and I'm not sure that you are a mentor, mate, But it did spur me to research.
Pieter
Roar Rookie
Lay those decisions at Coetzee's feet... EE dong OK and Im glad hes being forced to set an example on discipline, rather than always being involved in off the ball scuffles. WW is being missed. Talking about discipline I hope PSDT (not PTSD) keeps cool when facing Coleman, we dont need a yellow card..
Pieter
Roar Rookie
Lay those decisions at Coetzee's feet... EE dong OK and Im glad hes being forced to set an example on discipline, rather than always being involved in off the ball scuffles. WW is being missed. Talking about discipline I hope PSDT (not PTSD) keeps cool when facing Coleman, we dont need a yellow card..
Gary
Guest
Mate you don't know your stats , it's a rivalry that goes back nearly 100 years - 46 to Boks - 36 to Oz and 1 draw - we have already beaten them a lot ! It's a rivalry alright. Do you feel a little educated now , in the Rugby sense ?
Gary
Guest
Geez Harry lad , I thought you were predicting +2 = +12 ?
cuw
Guest
but they keep missing the bus still. when they could have made WW captain , they gave it to strauss. when they could have made Siya Kolisi the captain they gave it to EE. it is strange how they seem to have not learnt anything from great Madiba - moments matter!! like when he wore #6 jersey at world cup final.
Andrew
Roar Guru
The push-up boys - a classic idea that I feel wouldn't fly in today's humourless sports world!
nathan smith
Guest
hahaha dreamer all blacks rule the world greatest sports team in the history of the world
superba
Guest
Puff WRT athleticism watch Beast , Kitschoff, Etzebeth , Kolisi , Marx ,Oosthuizen in space.