PAT RIARC

Later today the springboks will face Australia to try and get their rugby back on track with a win at Pretoria. World champions South Africa have had one their worst tri nations in years and are in determined mood to put that right later today.

They are still hurting from a crushing home defeat to the All Blacks last weekend. South Africa had the initiative with just five minutes to go when New Zealand managed to get two late tries and snatch the win. The game was played at the new Soccer stadium in front of 90,000 supporters.

Surprisingly it was the South African rock John Smit playing in his 100th cap that missed the last tackle of the game to give the win away. He will be followed today be fellow bring springbok Victor Matfield who is winning his 100th cap today.

When asked about South Africa today Matfield replied,

“Hopefully a desperate Springboks side that know we need to get back on track, a team’s that’s not happy with the way we’re performing at the moment that really want to get back to that standard that we’re used to.”

It is hoped Pretoria which is a traditional strong hold for South African rugby will help lift the boks and get the win they so desperately need.

However it is not going to be an easy task with a very talented Australia side determined to get an away win in this year’s competition. Australia managed to beat South Africa last time round and it was the performance of Austrians number seven, David Pocock that has dominated pre match chat this time.

The South African coach has already said they have formulated a plan to take Pocock out of the game, and I think we can guess it will involve a lot of physicality, but no other side has managed to contain him yet.

This year’s tri nations has already been claimed by the dominant All blacks but the winner of today’s game will claim the Mandela Cup and a much needs boost in confidence.