The Springboks and Wallabies are fighting to avoid the Tri-Nations wooden spoon, and lift the Mandela Challenge plate.

Wins for the Wallabies in their final two matches would see them relegated from final position, and a morale boosting second spot.

To do so they’ll have to win at altitude for the first time in the professional era, and break a 47 year drought on the highveld.

HIGHVELD ADVANTAGE

In the 18 Matches played on the highveld between the 2 sides, the Wallabies have only ever won twice. The last time was 47 years ago at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

The Wallabies have won 1 of the 3 encounters in Bloemfontein, however that victory was 77 years ago!

The Boks have yet to lose a test to Australia on the highveld since re-admission, and the only places they have lost home test matches to the Wallabies in this period is on the coast, at Durban and Cape Town.

It’s a strange decision by the Wallabies to base themselves at sea level, this week they are in Durban. They will only travel to Bloemfontein on Thursday. I would imagine the Wallabies will once again run out of puff, and provided the Springboks can at least stay close, they should be able to overpower the Aussies in the last quarter of the match.

MILESTONES

The 71st Test match between the two sides, and their 34th Vodacom Tri-Nations match with South Africa leading 42-28, and 18-14 respectively.

Since 1992 that record stands at 21-20 to Australia.

A total of 750 caps among the starting XV makes this the most experienced Springbok side of all time. The previous record was the 700 caps shared by the starting XV for the Test against New Zealand in Wellington earlier in the tournament.

Victor Matfield plays his 42nd Tri-Nations match, makeing him the 2nd highest capped player in the tournament behind George Gegan (48).

The Boks have played the Wallabies 3 times in Bloemfontein, for 2 wins and 1 loss and an average winning score of 16-14.

The Wallabies have only ever won twice on the highveld, 1933 in Bloemfontein, and 1963 at Ellis Park.

The Springboks have played 17 times in Bloemfontein, winning on 13 occasions, drawing once and losing just three times.
Their average score is 27-16.

South Africa hasn’t lost a Test match at Vodacom Park since 2000 when it was edged out 27-22 by England.

John Smit leads the side for the 76th time, and for the 28th time in the Tri-Nations making him the most capped cpatin in the competition.

If John Smit scores a try, he will be equal the Springbok try scoring record for hookers in a test match, held by James Dalton and Bismarck du Plessis (5).

Bryan Habana is currently tied for the most Springbok test tries (38) with Joost van der Westhuizen.

Jaque Fourie and Jean de Villiers will play in their 22nd test as a centre pairing since their first test together in 2005 against Australia at Ellis Park, extending their Springbok record as a centre pairing.

Wayne Barnes of England will officiate as referee in his sixth Test match involving South Africa. Of the previous five tests South Africa have won three and lost two.

TEAM SELECTION

Springbok coack Peter de Villiers predictably kept changes to a minimum after his sides first win in this tournament.

Flip van der Merwe and Danie Rossouw trade places after van der Merwe needed time for a neck strain to recover, whilst what looks like a serious shoulder injury to Butch
James brings Gio Aplon onto the bench in his place.

It’s time for this Bok side to show what it can given the largely settled nature of the side and ability to make excuses gone.

WALLABY CHANGES

Australian coach Robbie Deans has made 3 changes to his forward pack, opting for bigger, more physical men to match the size of the Boks.

“All three of the players coming into the pack will offer us energy. They know what to expect and – perhaps even more importantly – know what is required in order to be successful” Deans says.

The opening stanza at Loftus showed that the Wallabies can take the game to the Boks, and by reacting to the Boks lineup, they are trying to take the Springboks on at their own game.

That is a recipe for their disaster, and I suspect they’ve already lost the game before it is played. Add to that the decision to base themselves down at sea-level, and it’s evident the mind games have the Wallabies spooked.

PREDICTION

The game is probably as good as over. The Wallabies won on South African soil in 2008 to take the Mandela plate, but at altitude, with this squad, I can’t see them getting close.

The Boks will be looking for a massive performance before the core of the side earns a rest.

Scrum half Francois Hougaard gave an indication of how important a big win is for the Boks in their last Tri-Nations test. “I don’t think we’re going for 17-10, we want to crush them this time” said Hougaard.

If the Boks get away to a good start it could get ugly, otherwise it’ll remain close until the last quarter similar to Loftus.

Boks by 11

Go Bokke Go!

Springboks:

1. Gurtho Steenkamp
2. John Smit (c)
3. Jannie du Plessis
4. Danie Rossouw
5. Victor Matfield
6. Schalk Burger
7. Juan Smith
8. Pierre Spies
9. Francois Hougaard
10. Morne Steyn
11. Bryan Habana
12. Jean de Villiers
13. Jaque Fourie
14. JP Pietersen
15. Francois Steyn

16. Chiliboy Ralepelle
17. CJ van der Linde
18. Flip van der Merwe
19. Ryan Kankowski
20. Ricky Januarie
21. Juan de Jongh
22. Gio Aplon

The Wallabies:

1. Benn Robinson
2. Saia Faingaa
3. Salesi Ma’afu
4. Dean Mumm
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. Rocky Elsom (c)
7. David Pocock
8. Richard Brown
9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Drew Mitchell
12. Matt Giteau
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
14. James O’Connor
15. Kurtley Beale

16. Stephen Moore
17. James Slipper
18. Ben McCalman
19. Scott Higginbotham
20. Luke Burgess
21. Berrick Barnes
22. Anthony Faingaa

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)