South Africa vs Australia Predictions - Boks to bounce back with vengeance

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 4 minutes ago

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Ralph Staniforth 4 minutes ago

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South Africa seeks redemption after a 38-22 defeat to Australia.
Significant changes in the Springbok lineup, including Kolbe's return.
Australia has shown improvement under Joe Schmidt, proving formidable.

Australia are looking for another huge upset, this time in Cape Town (Getty Images)

South Africa vs Australia Predictions

Australia caused a huge upset last weekend but can lighting strike twice? The Springboks have a superior side and while the Wallabies were good last week, the Springboks were terribly complacent. That won’t happen again this Saturday as South Africa should return to type.

South Africa vs Australia Predictions
Head to Head
South Africa Form
South Africa Team News
Australia Form
Australia Team News

My best bet is for South Africa to cover the -13.5 handicap at a possibly wet Cape Town Stadium.

South Africa have won 7 of their last 8 matches.
South Africa have won 4 of their last 5 matches.
Australia have won their last 2 matches.
Australia beat South Africa 38-22 in their last match.

Head to Head

South Africa have won four of their last five against Australia. Last week it was Australia that ended the four-match losing streak, beating the Springboks 38-22 at Ellis Park.

You can get the full history of South Africa vs Australia by visiting our head-to-head page.

South Africa Form

South Africa have been in superb form over the last few years and have won the last two Rugby World Cup’s. Widely considered the best side in the world, the Springboks have slowly become a team everyone fears again.

However, last week, in the Rugby Championship opener, Rassie Erasmus’ charges were surprised by the Wallabies. Early on it looked South Africa would race off into the distance as they scored at a point a minute to lead 22-0.

What happened thereafter was something we may never have seen before. At altitude, the Wallabies fought their way back to win 38-22, leaving the world champs in dismay.

For the Springboks, it was simple. They tried to play far too much rugby, conceded sloppy turnovers and they paid the price dearly. The new attacking dimension added the side took over completely once they became complacent at 22-0. Make no mistake, this week will have been tough week for that squad, and they will come out firing in Cape Town.

South Africa Team News

Rassie Erasmus announced his side on Tuesday. Needless to say, wholesale changes were made, partly because of injuries. The good news for the Boks is that Cheslin Kolbe returns while Willie le Roux will make his 101st Springbok appearance at fullback.

Australia Form

Since Joe Schmidt took over a bit more than a year ago, the Wallabies have consistently improved. In 2024 they didn’t get many results, but when compared to previous seasons, they certainly had shown vast improvement.

Many thought the B+I Lions would sweep them aside in July and while the first Test was won comfortably by the hosts, Australia came within a whisker of winning the second and did win the third.

After the first quarter of the game in Johannesburg last Saturday, many Wallabies fans must have been thinking ‘here we go again’, but the heart and spirit this Aussie side showed against the world champs at Ellis Park was immense.

The hosts raced into a 22-0 lead but slowly the Wallabies clawed their way back. They made use of turnover ball and dominated the breakdown area, eventually outscoring the Boks by six tries to three to secure the unlikeliest of bonus point wins.

Australia Team News

Joe Schmidt has kept faith with the majority of his side but there have been a few injury concerns. James O’Connor retains the 10 jersey after a very impressive performance last weekend.