Australia vs South Africa Tips - Wallabies to cover the line in Rugby Championship opener

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 08 Aug 2024

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Ralph Staniforth 08 Aug 2024

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South Africa won 11 of their last 13 matches but struggled in Australia
Australia in transition; won last 3 matches under coach Joe Schmidt
Top betting tip: Back Australia within nine points or full-time win

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Australia vs south africa rugby championship 2023

Australia can surprise at home against the Springboks (Getty Images)

Australia vs South Africa Tips

South Africa are full of confidence having won 11 of their last 13 matches with both those defeats coming against Ireland. But the Springboks have struggled in Australia with just one win in their last nine visits.

Australia vs South Africa Tips
Head to Head
Australia Form
Australia Team News
South Africa Form
South Africa Team News

The Wallabies are in a transition phase under new coaches, but they do have a sold-out Suncorp to look forward to. I fancy the hosts to at least get within nine points of the South Africans in this clash.

Australia have won 7 of their last 9 home matches against South Africa.
Australia have won their last 3 matches.
South Africa have won 11 of their last 13 matches.
South Africa won their last away match against Australia.

Head to Head

South Africa have won the last two matches against Australia, winning 43-12 at home last season. However, Australia have won seven of their last nine matches at home against South Africa along with one draw and one Springbok win.

Australia Form

Australia had a torrid 2023 and will be looking for vast improvement under the guidance of Joe Schmidt in 2024. They have already won their three matches under the former Irish coach.

The Wallabies were too good for Wales on home soil, winning the series 2-0 before a second-string side beat Georgia 40-29 in mid-July at home. While the results have been acceptable, the truth is both Australia and Wales are in a rebuilding phase, so there needs to be context on that series win.

Last year, the Aussies finished bottom of the Rugby Championship and were knocked out of the group stages of the World Cup. There has to be some acceptance that drastic change won’t happen within a few months.

Australia Team News

Schmidt will be under pressure from the get-go as Australian coach, but he will continue trying different combinations whilst also bringing youngsters through. Expect a similar lineup to the one that faced Wales in the second Test.

South Africa Form

South African rugby is in a great place at the moment, thanks mainly to the Springboks back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles. However, they have not won the Rugby Championship since 2019 and will want to change the script in 2024.

The Springboks drew their home series 1-1 against Ireland, the two top ranked sides in the world. They followed it up with a dominant victory over Portugal.

As Rassie Erasmus has shown since taking charge in 2017, he will regularly make changes to his side between World Cup’s. He has already said that he wants to evolve the teams gameplan as well as bring through some new players.

South Africa Team News

The Springboks are missing some experienced players through injury and suspension but have also kept a few players out. They have selected an exciting side though, one that has raised some eyebrows.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu starts at flyhalf with Handre Pollard taking a spot on the bench. There is also no Faf de Klerk with Cobus Reinach starting and Grant Williams on the bench. Elrigh Clouw gets a start at eighthman.

Verdict

Australia v South Africa

Australia are backed to get inside nine points and given their good home record against South Africa, an upset win is not off the table.

Australia +9.5

Handicap

$1.91 - 3 Units

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