Rugby World Cup Preview
Wallabies Host Springboks in Perth as South Africa Makes Thirteen Lineup Changes
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Australia host South Africa in Perth in the 98th meeting of the rugby rivals, with the match billed as a major test ahead of the next Men’s Rugby World Cup. South Africa lead the all-time series 53 wins to 41, with three draws, but the teams are even across their 10 previous Tests in Perth. The Springboks have won five of their last six meetings, while Australia arrive with recent momentum and a strong attacking run under coach Les Kiss. South Africa have made 13 changes to their starting lineup; Andre Esterhuizen will captain the team for the first time, and veteran Eben Etzebeth will extend his national appearance record. The match will air live and free on Australia’s Channel 9 and 9Now, with additional coverage on Stan Sport.
Key Points
1
Only Eben Etzebeth and Ethan Hooker kept their places in South Africa’s starting lineup after Rassie Erasmus made 13 changes from the side that beat New Zealand in Baltimore.
2
The Springboks entered the match after winning 15 of their previous 16 games, and had held the world No. 1 ranking for all but one week during the past year.
3
Rassie Erasmus warned that Australia would pose a different challenge from the All Blacks, saying the Wallabies have “physical forwards and a very exciting backline” and “will throw everything at us.”
4
The rivalry’s biggest score was South Africa’s 61-22 win in Pretoria in 1997; its largest winning margin came in a 53-8 victory in Johannesburg in 2008.
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