Cobus Reinach conceded that the Springboks have previously been guilty of overlooking the Wallabies for the All Blacks, a mistake they are keen not to repeat in Brisbane on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports.
The Boks will kick off the 2024 Rugby Championship against the Wallabies at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday, where they have a dismal record against the hosts.
The two-time defending world champions last tasted victory at the Suncorp in 2013, which was their only victory over the Wallabies at the venue in 12 attempts since 1965.
However, working in the Boks’ favour is that this year their two fixtures in Australia are not part of a larger tour, when in the past an away game against the All Blacks would closely follow and overshadow the clash with the Wallabies.
“Sometimes in the past, or a few years ago, we would look past Australia because we have New Zealand after them,” Reinach said. “We didn’t prepare as well, because we knew that there were more games to come, tougher games.
“We are not doing that anymore. We are focused only on what’s coming this weekend. We don’t care about next weekend or anything after that. We are just focused on the now and here, what we need to do to get the win.
“We want to put a performance out there that is worthy of our people.”
Reinach is well aware of what to expect from the Wallabies, having made his debut against Australia just under a decade ago.
The 34-year-old also started in the Springboks’ last clash with the Wallabies – a comprehensive 43-12 victory at Loftus Versfeld.
“I made my debut against them in Cape Town. I was young back then, but I still feel young,” he said.
On Saturday, Reinach will be partnered with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who makes his first Test start after some impressive cameos off the bench in July.
“I haven’t played alongside him as a scrumhalf-flyhalf combination. This whole week he has shown that he has a good rugby head on him,” Reinach said.
“He is a young guy, but he is hugely talented. I’m excited for him to go out there. He’s got the backing of the rest of the 22 and the whole squad, to go out there an express himself.
“I think he is going to do well. He has a lot of X-factor in him. He will pull a few strings and create some opportunities.”
Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
