Wallabies target lineouts, expect more of a kicking game from Boks
Wallabies players say they expect the Springboks to rely more on an aerial game in Cape Town this weekend than they did at Ellis Park.
Also, while they were good in defensive lineouts, the Wallabies hope to improve their attacking lineouts ahead of the second Rugby Championship match, kicking off at 5.10pm on Saturday.
Australia turned a 22–0 deficit around to win 38–22 in Johannesburg last week, more than matching the world champions in the kicking department and set-pieces in the second half.
More contestable kicks
With Bok flyhalf Manie Libbok's contestable kicks lacking in the first game, and his poor pass leading to an intercept try, Wallabies utility back Andrew Kellaway wondered if the South Africans would bring in different personnel and kick more with wet weather expected at Cape Town Stadium.
'I think what we've seen from Springboks the last four to eight years is a strong game plan that they haven't deviated from too much,' he told media. 'It really worked well for them. That is the box kick to compete and then the physicality around the kick-chase and that sort of stuff.
'We are always expecting that from the Springboks but more so in rugby at the moment, that is a pretty big staple. But with the weather here… it's pretty wet. So definitely expecting a bit more of that.'
Wallabies do their homework on lineouts
Meanwhile, lock Nick Frost shrugged off praise for a number of lineout steals in the Wallabies' half after Springbok penalties. He said the South Africans won their share, especially in the first quarter.
'It is always quite tough going against the Springboks. We know it is going to be a set-piece battle,' Frost said.
'But the boys did their homework during the week on what we can expect from them. And credit to a few boys there because it's not an individual thing. Maybe I am in the air but I have to be lifted too. We have to be in the right spot, and guys have to get their vision right. It's a collective thing.
'It was good in our defensive space but we need to look at attack because we did lose a couple against our throw in the big moments, which could have potentially hurt us in big Test matches.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
12 minutes ago
- The South African
Springboks-Wallabies: Team changes, kick off time, officials
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named a team featuring 10 changes to the starting XV as injuries and tactical considerations brought about an alteration in thinking for this Saturday's second Test against the Wallabies in the Rugby Championship. Jesse Kriel leads the side for just the second time in a Test, while Cheslin Kolbe, Damian de Allende and Bok centurion Willie le Roux all return to the starting XV. There is also a new captain for the Wallabies as loose forward Fraser McReight takes over from inspirational eighthman and skipper Harry Wilson after he picked up an injury last weekend. Rob Valetini steps in at No 8. Corey Toole will make his debut on the wing, and a third change sees Tom Robertson start at loosehead prop, with veteran James Slipper ruled out under HIA protocols. This Saturday's match between the Springboks and Wallabies kicks off at 17:10 and will be refereed by New Zealander James Doleman. Springboks: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jean-Luc du Preez, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 RG Snyman,3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Lood de Jager, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Akuso Suaalii, 12 Len Iketau, 11 Corey Toole, 10 James O'Connor, 9 Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 Tom Robertson Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Andrew Kellaway Date: Saturday, August 23 Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Green Point Kick-off: 17:10 Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand) Assistant referees: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand), Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy) TMO: Richard Kelly (Australia) Facts and Stats Head-to-head v Australia: Played 96; Won 52; Lost 41; Drawn 3; Points for: 1 945, Points against: 1 710; Tries scored 230, Tries conceded 177; Highest score 61-22 (Pretoria, 1997); Biggest win 45 points (53-8, Johannesburg 2008). Win % 54.2%. Miscellaneous Jesse Kriel will lead the Springboks for the second time in a Test after taking charge of the team against Italy in the Castle Lager Incoming Series in July. Ox Nche will serve as the Springbok vice-captain for the first time in his career, which began back in 2018. Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende will extend their record as the most-capped Springbok centre pairing in history, taking the field together for the 38 th time this weekend. time this weekend. Eben Etzebeth will extend his record as the most capped Springbok of all time to 135 Test matches. Handre Pollard needs three points to reach 800 points in Tests for South Africa. Damian De Allende will move into 10 th place on the list of most-capped Springboks, with 90 Tests. He is currently tied on 89 with Pieter-Steph du Toit and the late Joost van der Westhuizen. place on the list of most-capped Springboks, with 90 Tests. He is currently tied on 89 with Pieter-Steph du Toit and the late Joost van der Westhuizen. The match will mark the first time the teams meet in Cape Town since 2014 – the Boks won the match 28-10. The Boks have won seven of their last eight matches against the Wallabies in Cape Town since 1992 – a track record they will be determined to build on this weekend. Their only defeat against the Wallabies in Cape Town was in 1992, when the visitors won 26-3. The total Test caps for the Springbok starting line-up are There are 428 caps in the backline, with 318 caps amongst the forwards. On the bench, there are a further 329 caps in the backline, with caps amongst the forwards. On the bench, there are a further The average caps per player in the backline are 61, the forwards 40, while the players on the bench average 41. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
41 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Wallabies name their team: Ellis Park star rewarded with first captaincy
Flanker Fraser McReight becomes the 91st captain of the Wallabies while Corey Toole makes his debut at left wing. Wallabies flanker Fraser McReight was rewarded after his man-of-the-match performance against the Springboks at Ellis Park, being named captain for the second Test in Cape Town. McReight will become the 91st player to captain the Wallabies when the second Rugby Championship match kicks off at 5.10pm. Corey Toole will make his Wallabies debut at left wing. He replaces Dylan Pietsch, who suffered a jaw fracture in the first Test. It's one of three changes to the starting side, with back-to-back John Eales Medallist, Rob Valetini returning to the team at number eight, replacing regular captain Harry Wilson who is being managed after limping from the field in Johannesburg. New captain for the Wallabies A former Australia Under 20s skipper, McReight will become the 91st player to captain Australia. He also took over as Captain in last weekend's test after Harry Wilson left the field Tom Robertson is the final change to the matchday 23. He'll start at loosehead prop, after James Slipper returned home under HIA protocols, joining Billy Pollard and Taniela Tupou in the front row. Nick Frost and Will Skelton are again named as the second-row pair, with Tom Hooper completing the back five of the scrum. The experienced halves pairing of Nic White and James O'Connor have been selected for what is the second Test of the side's 2025 Flight Centre Rugby Championship campaign. White is the only player in the matchday 23 who was involved the last time the Wallabies played in Cape Town back in 2014. Len Ikitau inches closer to his 50th cap for the Wallabies, starting at inside centre in his 45th appearance for his country. He'll again partner with Joseph-Aukuso Suallii in the midfield, the outside centre scoring his first try in a gold jersey last Saturday. Toole's club teammate Tom Wright will start at fullback for the 18th time in the last 19 Tests, with 20-year-old Max Jorgensen to line up on the right wing, completing the back three. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Bell and Zane Nonggorr will again provide ballast as the substitute front row, with Jeremy Williams and Nick Champion de Crespigny the remaining forward cover. Queensland skipper Tate McDermott is the reserve scrumhalf, having showed his versatility again in Johannesburg; spending time on the wing before finishing the game at halfback. Sydney's Tane Edmed is the replacement flyhalf, with Andrew Kellaway finalising the matchday 23. Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: 'The squad as a whole has recovered pretty well from what was a very draining and physical Test match on the highveld last week. 'We struggled to contain a powerhouse Springbok start last weekend and we know that we have to improve leading into what's likely to be a bruising encounter in Cape Town on Saturday night.' Wallabies team to play South Africa at the Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Saturday August 16 at 5:10pm SAST 1. Tom Robertson (33 Tests) – #898; Dubbo Junior Rugby Club 2. Billy Pollard (11 Tests) – #958; Lindfield Junior Rugby Club 3. Taniela Tupou (60 Tests) – #917; Brothers Rugby 4. Nick Frost (30 Tests) – #953; Hornsby Lions 5. Will Skelton (35 Tests) – #883; The Hills Sports High School 6. Tom Hooper (14 Tests) – #964; Bathurst Bulldogs 7. Fraser McReight (c) (30 Tests) – #937; Albany Creek Brumbies 8. Rob Valetini (53 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club 9. Nic White (74 Tests) – #875, Maitland Blacks 10. James O'Connor (65 Tests) – #832, St Joseph's College, Nudgee 11. Corey Toole* – uncapped, Wagga Crows 12. Len Ikitau (44 Tests) – #944; Tuggeranong Vikings 13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (9 Tests) – #988; The Kings School 14. Max Jorgensen (12 Tests) – #984; Balmain Wolves 15. Tom Wright (42 Tests) – #939; Clovelly Eagles Substitutes 16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (22 Tests) – #918, Southern Districts 17. Angus Bell (40 Tests) – #940; Hunters Hill Rugby Club 18. Zane Nonggorr (13 Tests) – #966; Gold Coast Eagles 19. Jeremy Williams (15 Tests) – #973; Wahroonga Tigers 20. Nick Champion de Crespigny (1 Test) – #991; Canberra Grammar School 21. Tate McDermott (46 Tests) – #936; Flinders Rugby Club 22. Tane Edmed (1 Test) – #990; West Harbour Juniors 23. Andrew Kellaway (42 Tests) – #943, Hunters Hill Rugby Club
The Citizen
41 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Jean-Luc du Preez fired up for first Test start in seven years
Jean-Luc du Preez played 13 Tests for the Boks between 2016 and 2018, and only one since then, while this will be his first start since 2018. Powerhouse Springbok loose forward Jean-Luc du Preez is fired up for his first Test start in seven years, after he was picked at eighthman for the second Rugby Championship game against the Wallabies in Cape Town on Saturday. Du Preez has endured a difficult nine year career for the Boks, largely on the fringes, with him in and out of various squads over the years, but unable to nail down a regular spot in the team. He played the majority of his 14 Tests in 2017, when he featured 10 times for the Boks, while his last start came against England at Ellis Park in 2018, and by the end of that year he had 13 Test caps. One Test since Since then he has only played one official Test for the Boks, in 2023 against Argentina, although he did start for them in the non-Test against the Barbarians in Cape Town at the end of June. With the current injury situation in the Bok team, Du Preez has a fantastic chance to try and establish himself in the group, and he is going to give it everything he has, having endured a long road to get back into the starting mix. 'It's actually my first Test start in seven years, so that speaks for itself. I would just like to do my best for the team and get us on the front foot. Hopefully we can do a good job on Saturday,' said Du Preez. 'Your mind is a powerful thing. There were times that I was thinking 'should I just give up on the Springboks?'' 'But I would never be able to do that. It's taken quite a while for me to start again. You can never take this for granted, because when you get your shot, you need to make it count.' High pressure game It is a high pressure game for the whole Springbok team, after their shock loss against the Wallabies at Ellis Park over the past weekend, and a win is vital for them to keep their Rugby Championship hopes alive, ahead of a tough two game tour to New Zealand. With that tour looming it will likely add pressure on Du Preez to put in a strong showing, as a big performance could secure his place in the squad for those matches and possibly even earn him a start at Eden Park, if captain Siya Kolisi doesn't recover in time, while Jasper Wiese is still banned. He admits his start against the Barbarians does give him a bit of confidence and he will look to take that into the Aussie match. 'I wouldn't say I would start against New Zealand, because we probably have players coming back. But I don't want to look too far ahead. As I have already said, this is my first Test start in seven years, so for me it's all about this Saturday and that is all that's on my mind,' claimed Du Prez. 'Getting that run (against the Barbarians) does help my confidence a little bit, although it has been almost two months since then, so a lot has changed. But I'm just so thankful for the opportunity to get a run and represent my country again.'
