Australia vs South Africa Preview & Prediction | 2024 Rugby Championship | Round 1
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The 2024 Rugby Championship kicks off at Suncorp Stadium as Australia – under the guidance of Joe Schmidt – entertain world champions South Africa.
START DATE/TIME: UK – Saturday 9th August, 2024 – 5:30am / US ET – 12:30am / US PT – Friday 8th August, 2024 – 9:30pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – Not televised
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Sky Go / US – FloRugby
AUSTRALIA FORM: WALLABIES HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
After a disastrous spell under former England coach Eddie Jones, Joe Schmidt has come in and steadied the ship. The Wallabies are unbeaten in four games since the New Zealander took charge, as confidence grows in the camp.
However, the Aussies have not faced a team of the calibre of South Africa in some time, so this Rugby Championship opener will be a true test of where they are.
LAST FIVE: LWWWW
SOUTH AFRICA FORM: SPRINGBOKS FAVOURITES FOR THE TITLE
The reigning world champions have had the perfect preparation for this year’s Rugby Championship, as dominant victories over Wales and Portugal came either side of a highly competitive double-header against Ireland in which both nations claimed a victory.
The Springboks have an admittedly poor record at the Suncorp Stadium, but such is the confidence in the pack, they will not fear the Wallabies and this year they will be determined to end New Zealand’s four year stronghold on the Rugby Championship.
LAST FIVE: WWWLW
AUSTRALIA TEAM NEWS
SQUAD: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Isaac Kailea
REPLACEMENTS: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 James Slipper, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Tom Lynagh, 23 Dylan Pietsch
SOUTH AFRICA TEAM NEWS
SQUAD: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 RG Snyman, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
REPLACEMENTS: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Handré Pollard
AUSTRALIA VS SOUTH AFRICA PREDICTION
After winning the World Cup last year, South Africa have maintained their high standard in recent summer internationals and their bruising series with Ireland last month will serve them in good stead as they aim to win the Rugby Championship for the first time since 2019.
Australia are very much in a transition phase, and although they have started well under Joe Schmidt, they are likely to be kept in check here with South Africa capable of overcoming a healthy handicap.
AUSTRALIA VS SOUTH AFRICA TIP: SOUTH AFRICA TO WIN WITH -13 HANDICAP
