South Africa v Australia: Rugby Championship Test
Date: 2025-08-16T14:20:03.000Z
Title: Preamble
Content: There's a saying in cricket that you can't judge a pitch until both sides have had a bat.
Here's my equivalent for rugby: You can't judge the power of a pack until it's gone toe to toe with the Springboks.
The Wallabies might have lost the series against the British & Irish Lions, but some of their big boys left with reputations enhanced. Will Skelton, Rob Valetini, Taniela Tupou, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Langi Gleeson; where there were concerns about the Aussies ability to mix it with big boys there's now confidence in the tall timber.
Well, let's see how hard they really are. Because bullying the Lions is one thing. Standing firm against the double world champions on their own patch is something else entirely.
They'll have to do it without Valetini, for my money the most destructive loose forward in the world (Pieter-Steph du Toit fans, I said 'destructive', not 'best'). But, with six forwards on the bench compared to the Boks' five in reserve, Joe Schmidt still has enough to cause a seismic upset. Or does he?
We'll find out in a bit when the old frenemies lock horns at the Home of Rugby that is Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
Get in touch if you want to share something with the group. Reckon the Wallabies have the requisite meat? Will the Boks razzle-dazzle with a zippy backline? Want to pull me up on anything I've said already? My door is open.
Kick-off at 4:10 pm local time, 0:10 am AEST.
Teams and other bits to come.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
25 minutes ago
- Reuters
Australia edge China for Asia Cup 'three-peat'
Aug 18 (Reuters) - Australia landed a third straight Asia Cup title when China's Hu Mingxuan missed a three-point buzzer beater at the end of Sunday's final, leaving the Boomers to lift the trophy with a 90-89 victory at Jeddah's King Abdullah Sports City. Xavier Cooks, who was named game MVP, scored 30 points and tournament MVP Jaylin Galloway poured in 23 as Australia fought back from an early deficit to deny China a record-extending 17th triumph in the continental championship. "The main thing is I am so proud of the character of our guys," said Boomers coach Adam Caporn. "We were down by 15, but we saw our players' toughness, their problem-solving attitude. We have great people in the programme, and in my opinion that's why we won." Hu was the standout for China with 26 points and captain Zhao Rui said coming so close to snatching the title proved the team were on the right track. "This loss actually motivates us," he said. "Some fans probably didn't expect a close game, but we delivered a wonderful game for the fans tonight. "This one-point loss will remind us to work harder and get better. Today is just the start, not the end." Australia joined FIBA's Asian zone from Oceania a decade ago and Sunday's victory kept them unbeaten in 18 Asia Cup matches going back to their debut in 2017. Earlier on Sunday, Iran beat New Zealand's Tall Blacks 79-73 to secure third place.
BBC News
6 hours ago
- BBC News
Salford Red Devils fans march in protest after game cancelled
About 500 Salford Red Devils fans have marched in protest against the way in which the struggling rugby league club is being game against Wakefield was cancelled due to welfare concerns by the Rugby Football League (RFL).It was the latest blow for supporters who have had to watch their 152-year-old club's best players leave due to ongoing financial five games of the Super League season remaining, relegation is all but certain and concerns - strongly denied by the club - have been expressed about whether the Red Devils have a viable future. Their owners released a statement on Monday to say the club would not be closing despite their money problems. Last week the Red Devils said, of the 17 players they would have available for Sunday's Wakefield fixture, only two of them had appeared at Super League level during the last 12 RFL board, in line with its operational rules, will decide the outcome of the fixture next sport's governing body said discussions would continue with the club about their five other remaining are marooned at the bottom of the Super League table with 19 defeats from 21 matches. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Reuters
9 hours ago
- Reuters
France edge rivals in thriller to win SailGP Germany
SASSNITZ, Germany, Aug 17 (Reuters) - France secured their first SailGP victory of the year as Quentin Delapierre's team won the Germany Sail Grand Prix on Sunday, edging a nail-biting three-boat duel on the calm waters of Sassnitz. In a gripping finale that came down to the final metres, France kept their composure to edge out Australia and Britain, who finished second and third respectively. The French combined bold tactics with precision, sustaining their foiling speed while their opponents struggled to keep pace in Sail GP's thrilling fifth season. "It's an amazing feeling," said Delapierre, who picked up his first event win since the third season. "It's been a while since we won a Grand Prix - it's a super nice feeling. It was super shifty out there but we just enjoyed it. "It was super good fun; a good game playing with the shifts and the pressure. It will be a good memory." Flawless execution proved decisive as the race boiled down to who could stay on the foils, with France crossing first to lift the SailGP Germany title. Dylan Fletcher's Britain crew were forced out of race four in Sassnitz on Saturday after a collision with the U.S. team but returned to the start line following overnight repairs. Brazil missed the race after Friday's collision with France , which sent Delapierre to hospital for checks and disrupted their preparations for the Grand Prix. Australia lead the overall championship table level on 61 points with New Zealand. Britain are third with 58 points. The next round is in Saint-Tropez from September 12-13.
