Left to fight for second place in the Tri-Nations, South Africa and Australia both have unimpressive records to rectify when they meet in the first of back-to-back matches in South Africa on Saturday.
The Springboks surrendered its title to New Zealand last weekend with a dramatic, late defeat in Soweto — a fourth successive loss for the world champions.
Robbie Deans’ Wallabies — who have one win from three — will have to get to grips with an even longer losing streak at Pretoria’s high-altitude Loftus Versfeld: Australia has not beaten the Boks up on the highveld for 47 years.
Australia will be boosted by its 30-13 win in Brisbane on July 24 in the last meeting, giving it a 1-0 lead in the three-match Nelson Mandela Plate series.
South Africa hopes the traditionally intimidating Loftus, and lock Victor Matfield’s 100th Test cap at his home ground, will help halt its losing streak.
Last weekend, captain John Smit’s 100th game ended in heartbreak against the All Blacks.
“The hurt is always a terrible factor,” Smit said. “But we can certainly pick ourselves up. It’s up to us to make this one special — especially for a guy like Victor.”
Flyhalf Morne Steyn added: “It’s not nice to lose four games in a row. The confidence is not where it should be but we still have these two games to go and still have the Nelson Mandela cup to win.”
Australia is expected to continue with a gameplan centered around its backline playmakers: Quade Cooper, who was recalled to the team Thursday, and Matt Giteau.
South Africa will rely on the strength of its forwards and the kicking of its two Steyns, Morne and recalled fullback Francois.
Cooper and Giteau are reunited at flyhalf and centre for the Wallabies after Cooper’s return from suspension, and openside flanker David Pocock is highly regarded by the Boks in the battle at the breakdown.
“They will rely on a player like Quade Cooper,” said South Africa coach Peter de Villiers. “We also cannot ignore the impact of David Pocock. He will definitely be a factor.”
Cooper’s opposite number Morne Steyn said: “If you give him [Cooper] the space we all know he has got the talent and the skills that any rugby player dreams of. If you give him space there is going to be trouble.”
‘There is a lot at stake’
But Deans sounded a cautious note, saying rumours regarding Cooper’s future — and a possible move to rugby league — could affect his influence and unsettle the team.
“There is a lot at stake and a lot of intensity,” Deans warned.
“The Springboks won’t make his [Cooper’s] life easy. The peripheral stuff will bite him if it is in the forefront of his mind, and subsequently it will bite the team. I hope that’s not the case.”
South Africa named Francois Steyn in its line-up after he was finally cleared to play by his French club Racing Metro. Centre Jaque Fourie, who has served a four-week suspension, also returns.
Both players were World Cup winners in 2007.
“They [Steyn and Fourie] will bring a lot of experience to the group,” said Giteau, who predicts a ferocious battle. “It will be Victor Matfield’s 100th game, and it’s a game we desperately want to win too. The intensity will be right up there.”
Australia has to look back to 1963 and its 11-9 win at Ellis Park in Johannesburg for its last success at one of South Africa’s high-altitude venues.
The Wallabies conceded 50 points in a 53-8 loss, also at Ellis Park, in 2008 in its last match on the highveld.
Deans, whose team prepared down on the coast in Cape Town before flying up to Pretoria on Thursday, believes the altitude factor has been exaggerated.
“I will say we don’t have a great history [at altitude] but the team is familiar with preparing in Cape Town and they enjoy it,” said Deans.
“It has become routine.”
“To be frank it [altitude] is not the issue that people make out, and I think that with all the experience of Australian teams playing the Super 14, it is no longer high on the minds of the players.”
Australia has lost all four of its previous games against South Africa at Loftus Versfeld. – Sapa-AP
Squads
South Africa: Francois Steyn, JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Francois Hougaard; Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Flip van der Merwe, Jannie du Plessis, John Smit (captain), Gurthro Steenkamp. Reserves: Chiliboy Ralepelle, CJ van der Linde, Danie Rossouw, Ryan
Kankowski, Ricky Januarie, Butch James, Juan de Jongh.
Australia: Kurtley Beale, James O’Connor, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Richard Brown, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom (captain), Nathan Sharpe, Dean Mumm, Salesi Ma’afu, Saia Faingaa, Benn Robinson. Reserves: Stephen Moore, James Slipper, Ben McCalman, Scott Higginbotham, Luke Burgess, Berrick Barnes, Anthony Faingaa.