The Wallabies make their way to Bloemfontein this Saturday (Sunday, 1:05am AEST) to take on the Springboks.
The game may fly somewhat under the radar of Australian fans, played overnight between the AFL and NRL grand finals. But there’s plenty at stake for the men in gold, while both sides will be raring to go after a week off.
Whether it’s a motivational tactic or simple rotation, Michael Cheika still seems unsure of his best 15 ‒ especially when it comes to the wing and second row.
Izack Rodda is in line for a starting berth alongside Adam Coleman, while Jack Dempsey comes in for Ned Hanigan.
In the backline, Marika Koroibete earns a start at the expense of Henry Speight. Promising Reds rookie Lukhan Tui is also vying with Rob Simmons for a spot on the bench.
If Tui gets the nod, he’s set to become the eleventh Wallaby debutant this year.
For the home side, Allister Coetzee has made a handful of changes to the squad demolished 57-0 by the All Blacks a fortnight ago.
Dillyn Leyds takes over from Raymond Rhule on the wing after the latter’s impression of a well-greased turnstile in defence, Francois Louw replaces Jean-Luc du Preez at breakaway and Ross Cronje starts at 9, with Francois Hougaard dropped altogether.
On the bench, Lood de Jager and Bongi Mbonambi make way for Pieter-Steph du Toit and Chiliboy Ralepelle respectively.
Wallabies
1. Scott Sio 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau 3. Sekope Kepu 4. Izack Rodda 5. Adam Coleman 6. Jack Dempsey 7. Michael Hooper (c) 8. Sean McMahon 9. Will Genia 10. Bernard Foley 11. Reece Hodge 12. Kurtley Beale 13. Tevita Kuridrani 14. Marika Koroibete 15. Israel Folau.Subs: Stephen Moore, Tom Robertson, Allan Alaalatoa, Rob Simmons, Lukhan Tui, Ned Hanigan, Nick Phipps, Samu Kerevi, Henry Speight (one to be omitted).
Springboks
1. Tendai Mtawarira 2. Malcolm Marx 3. Ruan Dreyer 4. Eben Etzebeth (c) 5. Franco Mostert 6. Siya Kolisi 7. Francois Louw 8. Uzair Cassiem 9. Ross Cronje 10. Elton Jantjies 11. Courtnall Skosan 12. Jan Serfontein 13. Jesse Kriel 14. Dillyn Leyds 15. Andries Coetzee.Subs: Chiliboy Ralepelle‚ Steven Kitshoff‚ Trevor Nyakane‚ Pieter-Steph du Toit‚ Jean-Luc du Preez‚ Rudy Paige‚ Handre Pollard‚ Damian de Allende.
(AAP Image/Dan Peled)
Prediction
The Wallabies missed a golden chance to beat the Springboks in Perth, and they’ll be better prepared for the breakdown battle this time around.
But, don’t underestimate the desperation of the South Africans to prove their North Harbour nightmare was just a blip.
I’ve been a tad unkind to the Wallabies in recent predictions. Call it self-preservation. I’m reluctant to raise any kind of hope in these fraught times.
Winning at altitude is never easy, but Australia will be hoping for a repeat of their thrilling 41-39 win when the sides last met in Bloemfontein in 2010.
Kurtley Beale’s right boot was the hero that day. Could it be a long-range Reece Hodge missile this time?
It’s probably foolish to write off the Springboks at home after such a brutal thumping. Bugger it. I’m daring to dream.
Wallabies by 3.
Date: Sunday 1 October (AEST)
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 1:05am (AEST)
Betting: South Africa $1.40, Wallabies $3
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Jerome Garces (France), Shuhei Kubo (Japan)
TMO: Rowan Kitt (England)
mikeylives
Guest
Moody, Wilkinson, Perry, Lewsey, Dawson, Grewcock, Greening all played on tour and were there in 2001
Ozinsa
Guest
I just don't see it. They'll bring physical heat that I don't think we'll cope with. Add altitude into the mix and we're toast. If we do match the Boks up front it could be a great match
Harry Jones
Expert
Well, PSDT has been incredible most of the season... Lock stocks are barrel full in SA! Ruan Botha and JD Schickerling, too ...
ThugbyFan
Guest
Not just the Senate, Chooka. It has to fly past the ARU, and expecting them to do something smart for Australian Rugby rather than feather their nests and power bases is like expecting an AB patriot to admit they were offside. :)
DavSA
Guest
Yes , Whiteley was key this year to the Boks so a big loss. .Through his leadership he compensates for Coetzees man management shortcomings . He also brings plenty to the lineout .I am fully convinced that the All Blacks dominance lineout time against the Boks would not have happened were Whiteley present .
DavSA
Guest
Also Bloem is his home ground .Played most of his first class rugby there .Only moved to Pretoria last season .. I too am a bit mystified .There were issues around his fitness and conditioning a few months ago but that surely by now has been addressed.
Adsa
Guest
We won on the training paddock today.
NOTASaffaSpy
Roar Rookie
Lag ek nou lekker... "Because Elton is kak" Bokke by 12 to 15 for me.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Glorious, aint't it, FunBus? Haha, I wonder if he regrets doing it or if he's happy with his story to tell.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Why can't de Jager even make the bench then??
DavSA
Guest
The EE/De Jager combo is our most effective one.I hinted some time ago that Coetzee was only one match away from a public thrashing, hence his clear relief at the draw against the Wallabies . Anyway that one match came and so has the public antagonism. At the team announcement he looked so pressurized I was concerned for his health. Should the Boks lose to AUS in Bloem he is going to come under the whip like no other coach before him.
DavSA
Guest
Leyds is a far better player than Rhule. Also has an educated boot. ....But Scott ? Bitten by a Lion ? Whats so unusual about that?
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
This will become a legend for sure FunBus. He will hear about this until the day he dies - and so he should - and if there is heaven and a God, it will be the first thing he will hear up there also.. And not even his coach defends him in public, instead he is putting the boot in... that is when you know you have FU big time :D
FunBus
Roar Rookie
It's a nice theory, Mikey, but the team that lost 76-0 in Oz contained very few players that would dominate from 2001. It was a scratch team put together to rest the main squad and quite insulting to the Aussies. Not England's finest moment and something Woodward never did again.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Don't think the Boks are generally 15 points better, mate. Quite evenly matched sides. It's the circumstances of the match. Altitude plus a humiliation in the previous match does not a pleasant Bok side make.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Can you imagine the stick he's getting in the dressing room, Fionn?
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Welsh hookers, NVFS, have never been accused of being overly cerebral.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Yeah Thugby... but will they get past the senate?
Machooka
Roar Guru
This is why pilots flying at altitude wear G-suits...
ThugbyFan
Guest
Too right Fionn, you Parliamentarians must be licking your chops for next year. Rob Valetini and Tom Cusack played really well last night against the Fijian Drua, add in D.Pocock and Isa Naisarani and that's a pretty good back row for the Brumbies. You may even score the Arnold brothers in your second row as the Force version hasn't said what he's doing next year. (on another note, dunno what happened last night in the Drua match but my last long post; re the last two tries and best players, got moderated. Maybe was too windy. LoL) All we need now is for someone to convince Michael Alalaatoa to come home and play with Alan in the Brumbies and Wallabies, and the future for the WB would look a lot more rosy.