Aphelele Fassi will start at fullback for the Springboks today. | BackpagePix
The Springboks’ fringe players will know that today provides an opportunity for them to put their hand up for selection for the double home Tests in the Rugby Championship against the All Blacks.
But, their focus against the Wallabies will only be to emulate last weekend’s performance to claim a first back-to-back victory in Australia in the professional era.
A wet and slippery ground is forecast for the Optus Stadium in Perth (11:45 am start), and that might force the world champions to alter the game plan they used to dispatch the home side so easily last Saturday in Brisbane in that 33-7 victory.
While they have the players to continue running the Wallabies off their feet, the potential soft and wet underfoot conditions could make things difficult, and there could be more of a forwards-based game.
Despite what is at stake for the players, captain Salmaan Moerat said yesterday they will not stray from what has been working just because some are getting the opportunity to state their case.
“Every player selected for tomorrow (today) is very desperate and wants to cement their place in the squad, and it’s a good thing,” Moerat said at his captain's press conference.
“But I can tell you our priority is only on the game against Australia and if we can get a good result and build on last week, then going into the off week and then the All Blacks Test, it will be good.
“It (getting the desired result) will give us that extra comfort ahead of facing New Zealand and then getting a fresh week as preparation. The squad is in a good place with healthy competition among each other and for a squad that is always very good.”
An inexperienced pack will start today for the world champions, with loose forwards Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marco van Staden, and prop Thomas du Toit the only players sporting double figures in Test experience. At the back, there are some more experienced heads, with halfbacks Morne van den Berg, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and fullback Aphelele Fassi the only players with less than 10 caps.
Australia, meanwhile, brought back the likes of scrumhalf Nic White, winger Marika Koroibete, and prop Angus Bell to help steady their scrums.
The Springboks were comfortable winners in the tight exchanges and will want to continue their scrum dominance, even with some fresh faces in the front row.
“Australia will be very desperate to rectify their campaign. Their forwards alone, with their scrum coach, have a lot of pride in their set piece. They have Angus Bell to start, who is a quality player. So we are expecting a massive battle, especially up front.
“The preparation has been good. During the week, the small comms inside the team have been excellent. Everyone is trying to help each other and understands the importance of this game. The contributions have been unbelievable.”
Of course, there will be plenty of support for the Boks in “Perthfontein”, as the Australian city has been dubbed because of the many South Africans living there.
The Springboks have received massive support from their countrymen at training sessions this past week, and just like in Brisbane, there should be a large contingent of Green-and-Gold jerseys, maybe even bigger than the first Test.
“It’s comforting to know there are so many people over here supporting us and we hope they come out in their numbers and we can put out a performance to make them proud and thank them for their support.”
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