Former Wallabies full-back Greg Martin has thrown cold water on Australia's hopes against the Springboks in the upcoming Rugby Championship clash in Johannesburg. As the teams prepare to lock horns at Emirates Airline Park this Saturday, followed by a rematch in Cape Town, the mood is tensely anticipative. South Africa enters as the defending champions and with a formidable run of wins, while Australia is still licking its wounds after a mixed bag series against the British & Irish Lions.
Martin, speaking on the DSPN podcast, didn’t mince his words about Australia's prospects: "Well, what’s been happening at any time in South Africa over the last few years? It’s impossible to beat the buggers because they’ve got three teams that on paper are stronger than us." The Springboks' recent performance has indeed been stellar, outplaying teams like the Barbarians, Italy, and Georgia. In contrast, the Wallabies have shown signs of improvement but still fell short in their recent series, albeit clinching a narrow victory in the final Test against the Lions.
"We have no chance whatsoever."
Martin highlighted the physical mismatch as a significant disadvantage for the Wallabies, particularly when facing the notorious 'Bomb Squad'—South Africa's formidable bench. He expressed concerns especially about the latter stages of the game at Ellis Park, known for its demanding altitude: "It feels like someone’s knifed your lungs. It’s just horrific." Rassie Erasmus's last-minute adjustments to the Springboks lineup only seem to underscore the challenges ahead for the Australian team.
Despite the Wallabies' rally in the last Test against the Lions, Martin remains skeptical, comparing hypothetical outcomes: "Well, South Africa would have beaten the Lions by 40 points. They’re superior." He also questioned the choice of starting James O’Connor at fly-half, considering his limited playtime during the Super Rugby season and his age: "(He’s) 35 years of age and I know he’s growing up and matured and everything else, but crikey, if we’re leaning on that to beat the Springboks, we’re in a bit of strife."
As the clash approaches, all eyes will be on whether the Wallabies can defy Martin's grim forecast or if the Springboks will reinforce their dominance on home soil.