Will Loftus factor be too much for Eddie's Aussies?

July 07, 2023
1770
Ultimate Rugby

Newly elected Wallabies coach Eddie Jones will have it all to do in Pretoria on Saturday (8 July), as the maverick coach looks to secure a first ever victory for the Australian's at Loftus Versveld.

With the first game having taken place in 1963 seeing the Springboks win 14-3. The last fixture was also a victory from the men in green and gold in 2016 with a close 18-10 scoreline.

The former English coach took over the Wallabies after his predecessor Dave Rennie was shown the door in January. A key task that Jones has identified is re-instilling the will to win again in a rugby progrmme that has stood the test of time. However, it seems as though the off-field antics and mind games seem to have begun.

Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber may have struck first on that front, afetr naming his matchday 23. Noticeably 14 key players were left out. Not only were they left out, they won’t even be in the country, as they travelled early to New Zealand in preparation for their second round fixture against the All Blacks.

This gesture garnered a response from the Wallabies camp as star player Reece Hodge insisted that there was no disrespect, but more a strategic appraoch from an Springbok team that is blessed with depth. “They have the luxury of four, five or six guys in (each) position that can step up to the rigours of Test footy,” Hodge said.

“We’re expecting a tough battle. They’ve named a very strong side. They’re going to come out firing in their first home Test of the year,” he added. However, the Wallabies coach did not take kindly to so many world cup winners being left out of the squad stating Nienaber named a “half-baked” team.

"What I am hoping for is their best team. I do not want to take down a half-baked Springboks side," Jones told reporters in Sydney. Nevertheless, Saturdays fixture promises to be action packed as both teams will have a first glance at how both nations stand in the lead up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

SPRINGBOKS VS. WALLABIES AT LOFTUS

1963: SA 14-3 AUS

1997: SA 61-22 AUS

2001: SA 20-15 AUS

2005: SA 22-16 AUS

2010: SA 44-31 AUS

2012: SA 31-8 AUS

2016: SA 18-10 AUS

SPRINGBOKS VS. WALLABIES LAST 9 FIXTURES

2022: SA 24-8 AUS

SA 25-17 AUS

2021: SA 17-30 AUS