The defending champion Springboks and a rebuilding Wallabies outfit will clash in the opening round of the Rugby Championship on Saturday, coming into the contest off the back of vastly different preparations.
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Rassie Erasmus’ men have enjoyed a dominant start to the season, brushing aside the Barbarians, Italy (2-0) and Georgia in fixtures that allowed for extensive experimentation. Such is South Africa’s enviable depth that Erasmus could hand debuts to Boan Venter, Vincent Tshituka, Ethan Hooker, Marnus van der Merwe and Neethling Fouche without missing a beat.
The Wallabies, in contrast, are regrouping after losing a fiercely contested series to the British & Irish Lions 2-1. They salvaged some momentum with a weather-hit win in Sydney, but arrive in South Africa as a side still finding its feet. The squad is light on Test caps especially considering the retirement of 2023 World Cup skipper David Porecki and injuries to key players like Allan Alaalatoa and Tom Lynagh.
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Coach Joe Schmidt is on his way out, making way for Les Kiss who will no doubt want to implement some of his own ideas in the lead-up to the 2027 World Cup.
With the global showpiece on home soil looming large, Australia are under pressure to fast-track the development of a competitive side. The Springboks, by contrast, are in an enviable position – not just with depth across the park, but with a core of proven match-winners augmented by rising stars like Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Grant Williams and Ruan Nortje.
Erasmus’ biggest selection headache will be who to leave out of the World Cup squad rather than who to include. Under attack coach Tony Brown, the Boks have added sharper, more varied attacking shapes, as seen in the wins over Italy and Georgia. Erasmus has promised the innovation will continue in the Rugby Championship as the world champions look to defend their TRC crown in 2025.
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