The Springboks will need to defy history to have an chance of defending their Tri-Nations title

After 2 consecutive losses to the All Blacks in New Zealand, the Springboks have travelled to Brisbane, to play the Wallabies at a venue they are yet to win at in seven attempts.

MILESTONES

The most telling statistics are the fact that the Boks have only won twice in Brisbane (1956 and 1971) and are yet to win at Suncorp Stadium.
New Zealand is the only visiting side ever to have won a test at Suncorp.

Since 1992, the Boks have managed just 4 wins in Australia, and only 3 since the Tri-Nations has started (1996) in 16 attempts.

The Boks have not recorded a try in their last 4 encounters with the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium , yet have conceded a mammoth 131 points with an average winning margin of 27 and a half points!

For South Africa to win, history will have to be made, with a massive reversal of their recent performances.

TEAM SELECTION

Coach Peter de Villiers has spoken of changing his side to add more pace for the ‘quick field’ of Suncorp Stadium.

BJ Botha claims the tighthead spot in the merry-go-round number 3 position, whilst the loose forward trio springs the biggest surprise with Ryan Kankowski’s inclusion on the flank in place of Francois Louw as an out and out fecther is sacrified for another strong ball carrying option as de Villiers seeks to get hi side moving forward. It means Schalk Burger will have to play towards the ball, and may limit his ability to run wider as he did in Wellington.

Ruan Pienaar gets a long overdue start at scrumhalf as de Villiers seeks quicker ball for his backs.

Gio Aplon replaces the injured/suspended Jean de Villiers to add a more potent attacking threat to a stale Bok backline.

PREDICTION

The Springboks have signalled their intentions with their personnel changes, but can they turn things around in just 7 days? If they were playing the All Blacks I’d say no, the are helped by the fact this Wallaby side is young and unpredictable and not coming off strong recent form.

Had it been a typical Wallaby side, I would have said the Boks would struggle to win for sure. I still think they’ll be up against it, but the match may be determined by the opening 20 minutes.

If the Boks get a strong start as they always seek to do, they could run away with it. Conversely, if the Wallabies start well, they’ve shown they know how to put the Springboks away at this venue. Once the crowd gets behind them, the Boks could be put to the sword.

This one is too tough to call, it depends on the opening exchanges, I think the margin will be 10+ whoever wins, I’m just hoping it’s the Boks!

Springboks:

1. Gurtho Steenkamp
2. John Smit (c)
3. BJ Botha
4. Danie Rossouw
5. Victor Matfield
6. Schalk Burger
7. Ryan Kankowski
8. Pierre Spies
9. Ruan Pienaar
10. Morne Steyn
11. Bryan Habana
12. Wynand Olivier
13. Jaque Fourie
14. Gio Aplon
15. Zane Kirchner

16. Chiliboy Ralepelle
17. CJ van der Linde
18. Flip van der Merwe
19. Dewald Potgieter
20. Francois Hougaard
21. Butch James
22. Juan de Jongh

Wallabies:

1. Benn Robinson
2. Saia Fainga
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. Rob Horne
14. James O’Connor
15. Adam Ashley-Cooper

16. Stephen Moore
17. James Slipper
18. Rob Simmons
19. Ben McCalman
20. Luke Burgess
21. Berrick Barnes
22. Kurtley Beale