As the fortnight since the end of the British and Irish Lions series has progressed and Saturday’s first Castle Lager Rugby Championship test between the Springboks and Wallabies has drawn closer, the nerves of South African supporters have become more evident.
“I am weirdly worried about the Joburg game,” was a WhatsApp message received from one fan of the Boks who is normally optimistic about their chances but it wasn’t a lone sentiment.
For the first time in a long time the Aussies are talking big when it comes to rugby and there is belief that their rugby is on the up and that they might be challengers for the Webb Ellis trophy they last held in 1999 when they host the next Rugby World Cup in 2027. That jury will be out until Saturday evening, or at least until the second game is completed the following week. In the UK and Ireland these games are being watched more closely than they would normally be watched over there just because the Lions supporters are waiting to establish the extent of their team’s series winning achievement.
The Boks have to stop Skelton from being able to spark momentum for his team by getting his head and arms through the tackles. They have to do what they have so often done in the past against the Wallabies by getting an early statement in the set scrums. While the Boks have three class flyhalves to choose from, Wallaby coach Joe Schmidt has struggled to fill the hole left by injuries to first choice players and on Saturday he has entrusted 34-year-old James O’Connor, who hasn’t played there since 2022, with the task of taking on the pivot role.
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