Get ready to watch the Springboks turn Ellis Park into a fortress of dominance as they prepare to clash with the Wallabies this August. It’s not about cockiness; it’s about the sheer, overwhelming might of South Africa's rugby prowess, according to seasoned rugby analyst Mark Keohane.
On the 16th of August, Johannesburg will not just be another city in South Africa but the epicenter of a rugby tsunami, with the Boks expected to ride the wave. South Africa’s team brims with seasoned warriors while Australia struggles with the thin air of high altitudes, a factor that has seen them win a paltry 10 out of 48 tests on South African soil. Keohane points out,
"Their lowest win rate in any nation they’ve visited."
The past records are stark, showing the Springboks’ clean sweep in their last four encounters against the Wallabies, including three down under. With a squad that’s more settled than a retiree in a beach chair, it’s no wonder Keohane sees nothing but a green and gold day.
Anticipating Rassie Erasmus to field a near full-strength lineup, Keohane suggests the Bok coach's selection will be far from a casual flick of the wrist. He predicts a formidable starting XV that reads like a who’s who of rugby royalty: Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Manie Libbok, Grant Williams, Cobus Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, and Ox Nche.
Even with the bench-strength featuring the likes of Handré Pollard and Damian Willemse, the depth in the Springboks’ squad is enviable. Keohane underlines Erasmus’s potential strategy to rotate his squad for the subsequent Cape Town test, emphasizing,
"To do so would not be arrogant on his part, but an endorsement to every player in his squad and reinforcement of his plan to manage game time."
While South Africa flaunts its depth, Keohane throws a bit of shade towards Australia’s flyhalf choices, specifically pointing out Tom Lynagh, who, in his words, “would not make the Boks’ extended squad.” This pointed comparison starkly highlights the gulf in class and depth between the two sides.
As the countdown to the Rugby Championship opener ticks down, all eyes will be on Johannesburg. Will the Wallabies defy history, or will the Boks continue their recent dominance? One thing is certain: Ellis Park is set to sizzle come mid-August.