The Springboks are set to face the Wallabies in a one-off Test in Perth on Sunday, with veteran lock Eben Etzebeth one of the senior players expected to start. According to Springbok assistant coach Duane Vermeulen, the Wallabies will be well-prepared for the match after watching the four-Test Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks. Vermeulen believes that Australia coach Les Kiss and his staff would have taken notes on the series to prepare for the Test against the Boks.
Vermeulen warned that the Wallabies will have done their homework on the Springboks and will come into the game with a proper plan. He also acknowledged that the Boks have made significant changes to their match-23 that beat the All Blacks in Baltimore, but believes that the newcomers will be eager to make their mark. Vermeulen stated that the focus has been on the new players, and they know exactly what they need to do to succeed.
The Springboks have had two weeks to recover and prepare since leaving Baltimore, and Vermeulen said finding the right balance has been crucial. He emphasized that the team has had to balance time off and preparation, with a focus on the players who are getting their opportunities and how they must play. Vermeulen also acknowledged that the Wallabies are a team that can come with a different game plan and surprise the Boks with a few plays and tricks.
Vermeulen dismissed the perception that the Boks drop their intensity when Australia follows a series against New Zealand. He emphasized that the Wallabies are a Tier One nation that is on the rise and playing well, and that the Boks need to prepare well for the match. Vermeulen also highlighted the Wallabies' strengths, including their speed at the breakdown, good poachers and jackals, and a different way of scrumming compared to New Zealand.
Under coach Les Kiss, the Wallabies are steadily improving, and Vermeulen expects them to pose a significant threat to the Boks. He noted that the Wallabies will be well-prepared and can't be underestimated, and that the Boks will have a tough game on their hands come Sunday. Vermeulen also acknowledged that the Wallabies have a different setup under Kiss, with a new approach to lineouts and mauling.
The Springboks' coach, Rassie Erasmus, has emphasized that everyone would get a shot, and Sunday's match is about him keeping his word. Vermeulen stated that the players understand that the team doesn't just say things; they follow through. He expressed hope that the new players will take their opportunity and show the team what they've got.
The match against the Wallabies will be a significant test for the Springboks, who are looking to build on their recent win against the All Blacks. With a new-look team taking the field, the Boks will need to be at their best to overcome the Wallabies, who are determined to cause an upset. The match is expected to be a closely contested and intense encounter.
Key points
- The Springboks have made sweeping changes to their match-23 that beat the All Blacks in Baltimore.
- The Wallabies will be well-prepared for the match after watching the four-Test Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks.
- The match against the Wallabies will be a significant test for the Springboks, who are looking to build on their recent win against the All Blacks.
