Siya Kolisi says the Springboks can boost their hopes of winning a first Rugby Championship title since 2019 by ending their Brisbane curse against the Wallabies 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 poor 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.
South Africa’s record against the Wallabies has often contributed to them slipping up in a race with the All Blacks for the Rugby Championship, having last lifted the title when the tournament was truncated in 2019.
“Of course we’ve spoken about it, but for us, it’s this game this weekend,” Kolisi said. “It’s out there that we haven’t done really well when it comes to Australia.
“On this field specifically, they’ve done really well. They’ve played 12 games [against the Springboks] and won 11 here. So it’s a big thing for us.
“You can’t win the Rugby Championship by winning these two games, but you can lose it by not doing well in these two games. The most important thing for us is this one here.
“We need to be up for it from the word go, this weekend.”
Under Joe Schmidt, who replaced Eddie Jones after a disastrous World Cup pool exit, the Wallabies are unbeaten in three games, winning their series against Wales, before claiming a hard-fought victory over Georgia.
“We expect a side that’s going to come out to win,” Kolisi said. “It’s a sold-out stadium, they have the people behind them. We’ve seen how well they did against Wales and Georgia.
“We know it will be a huge thing for them if they can get a win over us. That honestly hasn’t been our focus. We’ve done our preparation and watched the players individually. Most important is what we have to do.
“In the past, when we lost, we didn’t deliver on what we needed to do and then they got the upper hand. So the focus is on us, but also respecting them.”
There has been plenty of talk back home about Kolisi’s future and his proposed return to South Africa from France.
However, being based in Brisbane while all this has been happening has allowed the Bok skipper to shut out the noise.
“I actually don’t know what’s been said. I’ve got a big match on Saturday and all my focus has been on this game.
“There’s nothing I can control with what’s happening with my future, all I can do is focus on what I need to do right now.”
Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
