Australia in their very own yard are the best risk to Rassie Erasmus and the Springboks’ aspirations of three successive World Cup titles, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane asserts that regardless of the historic rivalry between South Africa and New Zealand, the Wallabies’ dominance in opposition to the Boks Down Underneath presents a formidable problem to South Africa’s rugby legacy.
He highlights South Africa’s poor document in opposition to the Wallabies on their residence turf, profitable solely 5 out of 30 Exams since 1992, and argues that taking part in in Australia essentially alters the Boks’ efficiency, citing examples of dramatic turnarounds in matches.
Keohane emphasises the importance of the 2027 Rugby World Cup being held in Australia, anticipating an improved Wallaby staff beneath new head coach Joe Schmidt.
KEO: Boks vs All Blacks rivalry is irresistible
“There’s something brewing in Australian rugby. The Wallabies, in Australia, greater than the All Blacks, is the place South Africa’s focus should be for the following 4 years,” he writes.
“Rassie Erasmus’ Boks, en path to the 2019 World Cup title, have been on fireplace in beating the All Blacks in New Zealand and put up that in downing the British & Irish Lions in South Africa in 2021. However profitable in Australia, they bottled it.
“There have been few massive moments in between, notably one in Brisbane [but] the moments for the Boks in Australia in opposition to the Wallabies have been few.
“The purpose is these Aussies are a rugby drawback after they play in Australia. The Wallabies, in Australia, are the best risk to the Boks’ aspirations of three successive World Cup titles.”
Photograph: Brenton Edwards/AFP
