Wallabies vs Springboks: Rugby Championship live scores, blog

The Wallabies are wounded and chasing their first win of the Rugby Championship. Tonight, they run into the Springboks, who themselves are smarting after a loss at the hands of Argentina last start. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 8pm AEST.

The Wallabies have played the All Blacks twice in the last month, and lost both comfortably. Both times they were well in the contest at halftime, before being run over the top of, and put away in the second 40 minutes.

The Springboks have had slightly different fortunes in recent times, beating Argentina at home, before losing to them away last start in what was an insipid and lacklustre 80 minute performance.

It begs the question, what happens tonight?

Australia have been rocked by two late changes to their starting XV. Arguably their two best players, David Pocock was ruled out on Friday with a neck issue, before Israel Folau had his name crossed off the team sheet on Saturday morning, courtesy of his troublesome hamstring.

Pete Samu comes in at No.8, and Jack Maddocks to the right wing respectively. Tom Banks and Ned Hanigan win spots on the bench.

Other changes see Rory Arnold start, with Sekope Kepu dropped out of the 23 entirely.

In the backs, the big news is the demotion of Bernard Foley to the bench for the first time in 3 years, with Kurtley Beale to wear the number 10 jersey. Matt Toomua starts at 12, with Reece Hodge retaining his place at outside centre.

For the Springboks, Malcolm Marx is a big in on the bench as replacement hooker. Their backline is extremely hot when fit and firing, and their back three of Le Roux, Mapimpi and Dyantyi will be a threat all evening.

Siya Kolisi and Pieter Steph Du Toit resume their ever growing combination in the flankers.

Prediction
Who wants this game more?

Both sides enter this game on the back of poor last start performances, and need to start quickly.

The South Africans will be buoyed by the news of Australia missing their two best players, and may see an opportunity to snatch a victory away from home.

Wallabies by 5

Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 8pm AEST.

Where: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
When: Saturday 8th September – 8pm AEST
Betting: Wallabies $1.75, Springboks $2.10

Wallabies
15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Jack Maddocks, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Will Genia; 1 Scott Sio, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 4 Rory Arnold, 5 Adam Coleman, 6 Lukhan Tui, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 8 Pete Samu.

Replacements: 16 Folau Faingaa, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Izack Rodda, 20 Ned Hanigan, 21 Joe Powell, 22 Bernard Foley, 23 Tom Banks.

Springboks
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Makazole Mapimpi, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damien de Allende, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk; 1 Steven Kitshoff, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 3 Frans Malherbe, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Franco Mostert, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 7 Pieter Steph du Toit, 8 Warren Whiteley.

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Francois Louw, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Cheslin Kolbe.

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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.