Rugby Union
Tri-Nations: South Africa v Australia, Pretoria
I guess the easy option would be to take the home side getting points. After all, it's not often that you will get a Springboks team constantly turning up as dogs, especially on the high veldt at Loftus Versfeld.
But after watching them score just 3 pts against the All Blacks last weekend, I can't back them.
The Boks dominated possession and position to a near overwhelming extent in test football terms. But their total lack of imagination and flair meant they rarely threatened the ABs line - although credit should be given for the ABs tackling effort.
They also missed a number of penalties and have attempted to rectify that matter by dropping fullback Percy "Pretty Boy" Montogmery and installing Braam van Straaten, who has made 48 of his 52 kicks at goal at the venue. But while that should fix the goalkicking problem, it won't help the backline fluidity at all. Van Straaten is, along with winger Dean Hall, extremely limited in general play and shouldn't bother Nathan Grey and Daniel Herbert, who have tightened up immeasurably since their first test woes v the Lions.
Another worry for the home side is the inlusion of Conrad Jantjes at fullback, who plays only his second test after a debut v the third-string Italians earlier this season and didn't impress during the Super 12. The other change sees injured lock Victor Matfield replaced by Johann Ackermann, bolstering the scrum but losing some lineout ability.
The Boks forwards out-performed the ABs up front but the Wallabies should be better primed after staving off the Lions pack, which was undoubtedly the best forward eight in the world.
The Aussies have prepared for this match in Perth and should be well adjusted to the travel and altitude demands. They don't have a great record in the republic but have long memories of the 61-22 loss at the same venue in 1997 - a number of that side will front up again here keen on erasing those memories.
It's coach Eddie Jones debut for the Wallabies, who will be keen to start well for their new boss. First-five Elton Flatley will carry plenty of weight in place of Stephen Larkham but his confidence will have grown after his two solid efforts in wins against the Lions.
Look for John Eales and the returned David Giffin to do a far more effective job in the lineouts than the ABs did. If the visitors get close to 50% possession or better, they possess the tactical nous and flair to triumph - the forecast is good and the dry ground and fine weather will suit the more mobile Wallabies.
In contrast, Boks' coach Harry Viljoen is steering a desperate and unhappy ship - a loss here and his career will hit the rocks.
PLAY AUSTRALIA -5.5
GLTA
Tri-Nations: South Africa v Australia, Pretoria
I guess the easy option would be to take the home side getting points. After all, it's not often that you will get a Springboks team constantly turning up as dogs, especially on the high veldt at Loftus Versfeld.
But after watching them score just 3 pts against the All Blacks last weekend, I can't back them.
The Boks dominated possession and position to a near overwhelming extent in test football terms. But their total lack of imagination and flair meant they rarely threatened the ABs line - although credit should be given for the ABs tackling effort.
They also missed a number of penalties and have attempted to rectify that matter by dropping fullback Percy "Pretty Boy" Montogmery and installing Braam van Straaten, who has made 48 of his 52 kicks at goal at the venue. But while that should fix the goalkicking problem, it won't help the backline fluidity at all. Van Straaten is, along with winger Dean Hall, extremely limited in general play and shouldn't bother Nathan Grey and Daniel Herbert, who have tightened up immeasurably since their first test woes v the Lions.
Another worry for the home side is the inlusion of Conrad Jantjes at fullback, who plays only his second test after a debut v the third-string Italians earlier this season and didn't impress during the Super 12. The other change sees injured lock Victor Matfield replaced by Johann Ackermann, bolstering the scrum but losing some lineout ability.
The Boks forwards out-performed the ABs up front but the Wallabies should be better primed after staving off the Lions pack, which was undoubtedly the best forward eight in the world.
The Aussies have prepared for this match in Perth and should be well adjusted to the travel and altitude demands. They don't have a great record in the republic but have long memories of the 61-22 loss at the same venue in 1997 - a number of that side will front up again here keen on erasing those memories.
It's coach Eddie Jones debut for the Wallabies, who will be keen to start well for their new boss. First-five Elton Flatley will carry plenty of weight in place of Stephen Larkham but his confidence will have grown after his two solid efforts in wins against the Lions.
Look for John Eales and the returned David Giffin to do a far more effective job in the lineouts than the ABs did. If the visitors get close to 50% possession or better, they possess the tactical nous and flair to triumph - the forecast is good and the dry ground and fine weather will suit the more mobile Wallabies.
In contrast, Boks' coach Harry Viljoen is steering a desperate and unhappy ship - a loss here and his career will hit the rocks.
PLAY AUSTRALIA -5.5
GLTA
