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Cape Town - Former Springbok flyhalf Butch James believes the Springboks will edge the Wallabies in their Rugby Championship Test in Brisbane on Saturday.
READ: Butch James chats to Sport24
James spoke exclusively to Sport24 earlier this week and warned the Wallabies are a dangerous bunch.
“The thing about the Australians is that they are really clever rugby players,” said James. “The Wallabies devise good plans when they come up against the Springboks, and their attack is always well-thought-out. Australia will definitely test South Africa’s defence a lot more than the World XV did. Even if Australia endures a weak scrum performance, they will make a plan to get the ball out quickly to channel one, for example. Their lineouts are always effective and their defence is well-organised.”
However, James feels the Springbok pack will lay the foundation for a victory.
“If the Boks enjoy dominance up front, the Wallabies will be in for a long day. I believe our forwards will gain the upper-hand by bashing them a bit up front, and once we’ve sucked in a few defenders, our backs will be presented with the opportunity to prosper. (Handre) Pollard will be calling for the ball to release his outside backs who can do damage. The Springboks will win 28-22.”
Kick-off for Saturday’s clash at Suncorp Stadium is scheduled for 12:05 (SA time).
Teams:
Australia:
15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Will Skelton, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore (captain), 1 James Slipper
Substitutes: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 James Horwill, 20 David Pocock, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Drew Mitchell
South Africa:
15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Schalk Burger, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Victor Matfield (captain), 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Beast Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Oupa Mohoje, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Lwazi Mvovo
