Champions South Africa face a demanding three consecutive Test opening to the defence of their Tri-Nations title in the 2010 campaign in the draw announced on Thursday.
The world champion Springboks kick off with back-to-back internationals against New Zealand in Auckland (July 10) and Wellington (July 17), followed a week later with a Test against the Wallabies across the Tasman in Brisbane.
The Springboks will play their away Tests at a time when the Fifa World Cup will have dominated the sporting landscape in South Africa.
South Africa won their third Tri-Nations title this year and beat the All Blacks in three successive Tests for the first time since 1976.
The Springboks will close their 2010 campaign with home Tests against New Zealand in Johannesburg on August 21 and the Wallabies in Pretoria (August 28) and Bloemfontein (September 4).
The Wallabies have won only two of 17 matches played at Johannesburg, Pretoria or Bloemfontein.
The All Blacks will play the Wallabies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 31, Christchurch on August 7 and Sydney on September 11.
Wallabies’ coach Robbie Deans said the Tri-Nations draw offered a significant degree of difficulty but also opportunity for his team.
”It’s challenging in some ways but it will be what we make of it at the time,” Deans said.
”There is no point in sweating the small stuff. You go with what you’re given and you make the most of it, and this group will be aiming to do something special.”
The Wallabies finished with the wooden spoon in this year’s series, winning just one of their six Tests.
The triangular tournament involves the three highest-placed countries on the official IRB world rankings. — AFP
