South Africa vs Australia Predictions - Springboks backed for narrow win

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 05 Jul 2023

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Ralph Staniforth 05 Jul 2023

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Watch South Africa vs Australia in the Rugby Championship on Saturday (17:05 SAST)
Springboks have never lost to Australia at Loftus
Can the Aussies win in the Republic for the first time since 2011?

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Australia can threaten Springboks at Loftus (Getty Images)

South Africa vs Australia Preview

The Springbok side is far from full strength this weekend but they have plenty of quality within the side. On home soil, they should be too strong for Australia, but the nine-point handicap may be a bit steep.

South Africa won their last match against Australia.
South Africa have won their last 7 matches against Australia at home.
Australia have lost 7 of their last 10 matches.

Head to Head

Over their last six matches Australia and South Africa have won three each. That said, Australia have won three of the last four, all of which were at home.

Australia’s last victory in South Africa came way back in 2011.

South Africa Form

South Africa will be pleased with where they are at as a side heading into the Rugby Championship. Due to it being a World Cup year, the tournament is shortened, and all sides will rest players throughout in a bid to get the best combinations for the showpiece event later this year.

Last season the Springboks finished second in the Rugby Championship. They will be kicking themselves for not winning it after beating New Zealand in their opener on home soil. They lost the following week to the All Blacks and then again in Australia.

On the end-of-year tour South Africa demolished Italy and England but suffered narrow defeats to both France and Ireland. Consistency has not been good for the Boks recently, but they will be confident of seeing off this Aussie side.

South Africa Team News

Jacques Nienaber has already announced his side for Saturday. The Springboks are splitting their squad, with some players traveling to New Zealand early for next week’s game.

That said, perhaps four or five players this weekend are guaranteed starters in the best side. Manie Libbok will make his first-ever Springbok start while Jean Kleyn is a debutant in the second-row.

Australia Form

Australia appointed Eddie Jones early this year as their head coach. He is expected to rejuvenate the Wallaby side but whether that will be enough to win in South Africa remains to be seen.

The Wallabies finished third in the Rugby Championship last season and then suffered a humiliating first-ever defeat to Italy on their end-of-year tour.

Positives were few and far between, but if they can get it together this year they have a real shot at the Rugby Championship and World Cup.

Australia Team News

Eddie Jones will no doubt have a few tricks up his sleeve, he is just that sort of coach. Quade Cooper’s return to the flyhalf position is a massive bonus.

Verdict

South Africa v Australia

It should be an intriguing contest in Pretoria on Saturday. I am backing the Aussies to get within nine points of their hosts.

Australia +9

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