Looking at the Springbokke - the fans are at a nadir, think about where we were after Bled #1 and turn it up to 11. Wholesale changes have been called for by the fans. "Transformation" is a term I'm sure is showing up on web searches at unprecedented rates. But I can't see it. Calls for new blood roughly equate or are better than the calls to chop (in terms of %-age PoC). And the new blood demanded is rather irrelevant as they generally are not in the Coetzee squad. I'm not predicting many changes.
They could introduce Chillyboy and the youngster Wilco Loux to increase front row weight, but would it improve the scrum? Dreyer the starting THP is there due to injury (Oosthuizen). He might swap Kitshoff for 17, it's not a big change. Don't forget they are only scrumming the Wallabies, do they really need to muck around with it too much?
Coetzee may well be looking at Dan du Preez over Cassiem at no #8. This would be a bit like the muted Tui to #6 option for the WBs. Both backrows are light and unbalanced, but would du Preez (or Tui) actually make an immediate impact? Better off letting Cassiem grow against the easier opposition of the Wallabies.
Lot's of calls for removing Kriel as a backline log-jamb at out-center (supposedly doesn't pass much). It's probably overdone, and there is probably not many options. The back three though, or at least the wingers might shift. It's hard to see Rhule surviving (you can't blame one man for the last performance but his D was sordid). They have a couple of youngsters in the wings - S'busio Nkosi (cutting it up in CC for the Sharks apparently) and Dillan Leyds.
All in all, it's unlikely that we will see anything dramatic in the Bokke selections, and as the coaching is the same you'd think little changing in terms of strategy and game plan.
It'll be Perth #2, though the Bokke have a wounded pride to repair at home on the Hiveldt.
Scrums may be parity. Our 10-12 axis and playmaking should be superior. Their kicking and line outs should be superior. Light weight mobile back row will not be a hindrance, and our ever-ready batteries should be good for the last 20.
If the Bokke kicking is sensible, we are stuffed, by maybe 30 points. If we can force the game to be played to our strengths - 10-20 points to the WBs.
Actually starting to look forward to this one.
Let's see Hodge start with a kicking remit. Let him take an early shot at goal from the 22. It'll may go dead, probably miss, but a little warning shot for the Bokke. Then let Hooper, Hanigan, Foley, Beale and Folau loose.
We do light-weight and mobile better than they do. Just do it for 80 boys, altitude is no excuse.