Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
2024 Rugby Championship
Australia v South Africa
Suncorp Stadium
Brisbane, Australia
Saturday, 10 August 2022
Kick-off is at 06h45
South Africa will attempt to end New Zealand's dominance in the
Rugby Championship when they take on Australia in the opening match of the 2024 edition at the Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, August 10.
The All Blacks have won the title an astonishing 20 times and they made it four successes in a row last year after winning all three of their matches in a shortened format due to the 2023 World Cup.
The Springboks went on to beat New Zealand 12-11 in a dramatic World Cup final to retain their crown and Rassie Erasmus has since taken over the reins from Jacques Nienaber for his second stint in charge.
Erasmus' side warmed up for the annual Southern Hemisphere competition with two tests against Ireland and one against Portugal, the latter finishing in a comprehensive 64-21 victory for the hosts in Bloemfontein on July 20.
South Africa ran out 27-20 victors over the reigning Six Nations champions on July 6 before suffering a narrow 25-24 defeat seven days later, although they maintained their unbeaten home series record against Ireland.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Elrigh Louw are set to make their first starts against Australia in a heavily changed line-up that sees just six players from the team that thrashed Portugal.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu will slot in at fly-half, while Louw starts at number 8. Cobus Reinach also comes in for Faf de Klerk at scrum-half.
"We only face the Southern Hemisphere teams in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship now, so we know they'll pose a completely different challenge to the sides we've faced to date," the Springboks head coach said.
"They are also playing on their home turf where they have a good track record against us in the last few years, so we know it's going to be a massive challenge.
"The fact that they are facing the world champions at home and knowing full well that they are hosting the 2027 World Cup will also inspire them, while we also have no doubt that they are desperate to climb the world rankings.
"They are a well-coached team with good playmakers, so they'll definitely be charged up for Saturday's match-up."
Australia have lost their last two Rugby Championship meetings against South Africa and endured a disappointing 2023 campaign, losing all three of their matches.
However, Joe Schmidt has made a positive start to his tenure after replacing Eddie Howe at the helm in January, guiding his team to three consecutive victories last month.
Schmidt's side beat Wales in back-to-back tests on home soil and followed it up with a 40-29 win over Georgia.
Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
Schmidt experimented with his line-ups in those three encounters and admits he hasn't really had enough time with the squad to determined his best XIV.
"I'd like to have had more time, to be honest. It's very much been a sprint so far," he said ahead of the opener against the world champions in Brisbane.
"There are six new players in that I haven't spent time with before. Connecting it all up is a real challenge. But I've coached against most of [the Springboks] over several years.
"I probably know them better than I know us, but we've got a great bunch of young men who are committed to trying to make sure they are as competitive as possible on Saturday."
Head-to-Head:
Matches - 93
Australia - 40
South Africa - 50
Draws - 3
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