The Wallabies must be up for the fight against an angry Springboks side who are tipped to take their trademark physicality to another level in Bloemfontein, assistant coach Mick Byrne has warned.
South Africa were towelled 57-0 by New Zealand two weeks ago – the country’s worst Test loss, and one that has piled huge pressure on coach Allister Coetzee and his underperforming players.
Byrne expects the Springboks will channel their shame through brute force in the contact zone when they meet the Wallabies on Sunday morning (AEST) at Toyota Stadium.
“It is a non-negotiable to beat anyone, really. But South Africa bring a physicality. They pride themselves on that. They’re a nation of it,” he said.
“There’s going to be – I would imagine – a little bit more given the week they’ve had.
“That’s going to be a challenge for our boys to step up and meet them in that regard.
“(That means) getting your low body height, getting underneath players, leg drive, all those things that represent physicality and getting to the contest first.”
Local media have spent the last fortnight poring over the wreckage of the All Blacks defeat and are yet to turn their full attention to the challenges presented by the Wallabies.
Springboks sports psychologist Pieter Kruger expressed his frustration that they haven’t engaged his services despite a result that would have mentally rattled the entire team.
“Although I would have liked to have a full-time job, the Springboks currently only use me on an ad hoc basis… (which) is obviously very challenging when you are a performance psychologist,” Kruger told the City Press newspaper.
“I will unfortunately not see them before the next game but I have shared my thoughts with Allister.
“It will be massively important not to reinvent the wheel or go into panic mode.”
Bfc
Guest
Hope this is a smokescreen and our coaches have a better strategy thought out...surely every Test is "physical"? Maybe the coach(s) need to approach the game with brains rather than brawn...picking a balanced team for a start would help...and having a decent game plan.
Harry Jones
Expert
If it's an angry game, SA will win. If it's a happy game, OZ will win. If it's happy-sad, they'll draw again.
ThugbyFan
Guest
He is definitely needed at the Tahs then, aka your description "a team that was a rabble, full of entitled players who had a lock on Wallabies spots." Some of the games I saw from them this year, they were going through the motions. I wonder if they blushed when they picked up their pay cheques.
waxhead
Guest
Yes Mick Byrne is right. So who is Cheika gonna pick to OD on angry pills - cream puffs Hanigan, Simmons, Robertson AGAIN or some players with actual mongrel ?
marto
Guest
Pathetic comeback..Keep trying princess..
Cynical Play
Guest
I'm thinking nipple-cripples, Chinese burns, bum flicks, horsies,and foot stomping. And that's in the sheds.
Cynical Play
Guest
Most excellent pack PK
Jack
Guest
Jake turned a team that was a rabble, full of entitled players who had a lock on Wallabies spots, into a team of professional players and a competitive team. As a Brumbies member I will always be grateful. He saved the club.
Amateur Hour
Guest
Yes, yes, yes! Hooper should come off the bench against tiring defences. He's our Ardie Savea.
Adsa
Guest
Crusty the coach, that's gold.
Highlander
Guest
That's a good get, Mauger is head coach now so I guess they are old cantab mates. Losing Scott MacLeod to the All Blacks was a big deal, needed a big replacement
cuw
Guest
well at least in one aspect the two teams seem to be on par - both have 2 openside flankers :) Flow is a 7 tho built like a blindside , he plays 7 for Bath .
cuw
Guest
well TBF the saffa side will not be so bad if all their best players are selected in their pet-positions. take Flow for instance - it took an injury for him to be called up. meanwhile he was tearing up the Aviva for BAth. unfortunately WLR was in fine form for Wasps , till he got injured. and then there was this unheard of 2nd rower called Ribbands , who won MOM for saints ...
cuw
Guest
OTT is Glenn Delany appointment to Highlanders a good one? kind of odd for a Canterbury coach to go ... :)
cuw
Guest
it was interesting to see both DAVE DENNIS & JAMES HORWILL have very good games for Chiefs and Quins ( Horwill as skipper) during the weekend. White did not do badly also. quite a few auzzy players were on show in addition to above...
double agent
Guest
Pathetic comment.
Jock Cornet
Guest
Both teams are so professional but the crappest ever produced . Have their been a worst Oz and bok side , I don't think so.
Charlie Turner
Guest
The Brumbies gig was not his finest moment.
Walt1010
Roar Rookie
I thought Wife's defining characteristics were his ability to pass off his major stakeholders, treat his players like schoolboys and exit his contract prematurely?
Terry
Guest
Folau got a yellow card in South Africa in 2016 trying to tackle a bloke he thought had the ball.How bad is that.Cost us the match.Maybe Cheika has instructed Folau to not tackle anymore, so he doesn't get a card.