There is something brewing leading into this game but I can’t put my finger on it. I suspect we will see a spectacle, however; I do not believe the result – whichever way it goes – will determine either team’s season. It will serve us a modicum of where the Wallabies and Springboks are heading, even if neither are where they intend to be just yet.
I believe the combativeness of the Wallabies will be determined by how Cheika manages to rile his troops for a second successive week. There appears to be motivation to play in honour of the Force and what they mean to Australian rugby.
There’s great unpredictability as to what to expect from the Wallabies for me, I’m not sure which team is going to pitch and that makes this a dangerous game for the Boks.
There has been a lot of talk about the packs and the Springboks’ outside backs being brittle. Whoever can muster ascendancy in the physical exchanges will determine how much of a liability the back-three turns out to be for the Boks.
At the same time there’s an air of astute calmness and dedication to the cause from the Springboks this season which I don’t recall perceiving for a long time. They are inexperienced; they are going about their way, strengthening a faltering foundation left from last year’s catastrophic and stormy disaster and seemingly circling the wagons into a laager to defy the naysayers.
I don't think they are playing to defy anyone, it's just a consequence of their actions. Coincidentally I feel the Wallabies are trying to shut up their critics more than anything else and that is something stemming from the pressure upon the leadership and how they deal with it.
The Boks are rebuilding and I don’t think they are going over to Australasia to lose, but I think they know well within themselves that they are striving for a goal for the greater cause over the long-term.
Consistency in selection and performance has been key – long may that continue.
And good luck to both teams.
