Former Wallabies hooker Jeremy Paul is throwing down the gauntlet, backing Australia to topple the Springboks in their own backyard following a gritty series against the British & Irish Lions. As the Wallabies set their sights on Ellis Park and Cape Town, the echoes of their recent battles seem to have forged them into a team ready to challenge the reigning world champions.
Despite a 2-1 series loss to the Lions, Paul argues that the intense competition has perfectly poised Joe Schmidt's squad for success. "I think we should win the first game," Paul declared on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast. He believes the tough love received during the Lions' tour is the best prep imaginable. "Being hardened, you could not have better preparation."
"Off the back of this momentum, the line speed, dominant tackles, it’s a new level,"
The Springboks, meanwhile, come off less demanding wins against the Barbarians, Italy, and Georgia. Paul contends that the Wallabies' superior match fitness and the boost from their third Test win against the Lions will be pivotal. "You've done it once, now do it again," he urged the Australian team.
Australia's track record against South Africa hasn't been stellar, with their last victory back in 2022 and subsequent defeats. However, Paul remains optimistic, suggesting that even a split result in South Africa would be a commendable outcome. Moreover, he predicts a clean sweep against Argentina and a victory over the All Blacks in Perth.
"For us to win one away in South Africa, win the Perth game, and be super competitive in the other two would be an incredibly successful year for us,"
Despite the formidable challenge, Paul’s confidence in Schmidt's squad is unwavering. He sees the first Test as a golden opportunity, given the Boks' arguably lighter preparation. "The Boks haven’t had the preparation going into this game, we have. We should win the first game. The second game is up for grabs," Paul concluded, setting the stage for what could be a transformative series for the Wallabies.