Zeena Isaacs
18 July 2008
Johannesburg — THE Springboks know that if they topple Australia at the Subiaco Oval in Perth tomorrow, the Tri-Nations trophy is within their grasp.
The Boks have usually flopped on the Tri-Nations tour and have been forced to rely on bonus points and home wins to take the title.
But for the first time in years, the team looks almost unbeatable with the wealth of talent at coach Peter de Villiers' disposal and the confidence gained from their first-ever win in Dunedin.
Even the loss of talismanic captain John Smit and hooker Bismarck du Plessis -- and an injury to outside centre Adrian Jacobs -- failed to sway Australian coach Robbie Deans.
In fact, Deans suggested the Springboks were more formidable now than in the Rugby World Cup.
"They not only have achievements behind them, they are still stacking them up as evidenced last week," said Deans. "They are very experienced, still in their prime and still hungry."
De Villiers made four changes to the run-on team that beat New Zealand, with fullback Conrad Jantjes replacing Percy Montgomery and Frans Steyn taking over from Jacobs.
In the other changes dynamic No8 Pierre Spies replaces Joe van Niekerk and hooker Schalk Brits replaces Du Plessis.
Deans has picked his most experienced players in the hope of starting off on a high, with wing Lote Tuqiri, No8 Wycliff Palu and lock Nathan Sharpe returning from injury.
"This is our first Tri-Nations Test and we are conscious of the fact it is going to be a step up from what we have encountered to date," said Deans. "In that sort of circumstance, to have as many blokes as possible around who have got some kilometres on the clock is valuable."
De Villiers expected an equally daunting challenge: "The Wallabies are a team you must respect. They wear you down, their execution is always brilliant, they are a great all-round team. It will be a very tough game."
Counting in the Boks' favour is that the intensity could come as a shock to Australia who come off big wins against a weakened France. This will also be their first Test under the experimental laws.
The Springboks, however, will have to pay special attention to shutting down magical flyhalf Matt Giteau to keep alive hopes of getting half the Tri- Nations job done this weekend.
Their loose trio of Spies and flanks Schalk Burger and Juan Smith will also have to be in top form against the highly rated Australian trio of Palu and flanks George Smith and Rocky Elsom. With Sapa-AFP
SPRINGBOKS: Conrad Jantjes, JP Pietersen, Francois Steyn, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Ricky Januarie, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield (capt), Bakkies Botha, CJ van der Linde, Schalk Brits, Gurthro Steenkamp. Reserves: Adriaan Strauss, Tendai Mtawarira, Brian Mujati, Andries Bekker, Ryan Kankowski, Ruan Pienaar, Peter Grant.
WALLABIES: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Hynes, Stirling Mortlock, Berrick Barnes, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, George Smith, Rocky Elsom, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson. Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Matt Dunning, Hugh McMeniman, Phil Waugh, Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, Drew Mitchell.
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