South Africa vs Australia Preview & Tips - Springboks set for comfortable win

South Africa have won of their last six matches against Australia. There was one defeat and two draws.

They last played in 2019 where the Springboks won 35-19 on home soil.

South Africa are the number one ranked side in world rugby at the moment. They won the 2019 Rugby World Cup and then returned to beat the British & Irish Lions 2-1 post COVID.

The confidence in the Springbok ranks will be very high at the moment. Since beating the B+I Lions, they have beaten Argentina twice in the Rugby Championship. Those results have put them just a point off New Zealand at the top of the table.

In the first match against Los Pumas, South Africa rested 13 of their first choice players and still won 32-12. A week later, the stars returned which resulted in a 28-10 win. They only got the bonus point in the first game.

The Springboks did not play Australia in 2020, but their last two matches (2018 & 2019) resulted in comfortable wins for South Africa.

Duane Vermeulen returns to the side for the first time this season following an ankle injury. This is a huge boost to the South Africans.

The bad news for South Africa is that star winger, Cheslin Kolbe is out injured. This should see Sbu Nkosi start at wing. Faf du Plessis is also back at scrumhalf in place of Cobus Reinach.

Australia have struggled this season, much like their franchises did prior to the international season. It began with a 2-1 series win over France but the French did send a squad without 19 first choice players.

The first Bledisloe Cup match against New Zealand seemed to bring some confidence back into their ranks. Despite a 33-25 defeat, the Wallabies showed much promise in that match.

Unfortunately it has gone backwards since. The second Test ended in a heavy 57-22 defeat while the third saw them lose 38-21.

The biggest concern will be the sides’ lack of physicality, especially against a Springbok side that thrives on set piece dominance. They will have to tighten up their game against the green and gold or it could turn ugly on Sunday.

In what has been termed a sensational move, Quade Cooper returns to the Wallaby side for the first time since 2017. He starts at flyhalf ahead of Noah Lolesio.

Cooper brings plenty of experience to the side and may just be the medicine they need to kick-start their season.