BRISBANE - Australian rugby's revival from the depths of despair faces its most severe test yet on Saturday when the Wallabies face the world champions Springboks in Brisbane.
After being bundled out of last year's World Cup in the group stages, the Wallabies slumped to 10th in the world as high-profile coach Eddie Jones quit to take a post with Japan.
Former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt was appointed to take over, with his calm, measured approach in stark contrast to the more mercurial Jones, who alienated most of the Australian rugby public by the end of the World Cup campaign.
Schmidt opened his tenure last month with two wins over Wales and one over Georgia, but South Africa pose a far sterner challenge in the opening round of the Rugby Championship.
Australian captain Allan Alaalatoa on Friday conceded that the Wallabies go into the game as underdogs despite the Springboks not having won in Brisbane since 2013.
"We know that we're not the full product yet, but we're building towards that," he said.
Alaalatoa said the Wallabies needed to be able to handle the massive South African tight five if they were to have any chance of an upset.
"They're well experienced in terms of the number of Test caps that they have," he said of the Boks forwards.
"As a forward pack we've spoken about that and we know that's going to be a massive challenge for us -- which we're excited to face."
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has picked a strong team for Saturday's clash, with the matchday 23 featuring just three changes from the squad that drew 1-1 with Ireland in a highly competitive series last month.
Exciting Stormers fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 22, will have his first Test start, while Bulls 24-year-old number eight Elrigh Louw will also start for the first time after four appearances off the bench.
"One of the big talking points for us as a team from the beginning of the season was that we need to get the balance right between selecting teams featuring youth and experience as we build towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup," Erasmus said.
"We’re pleased with the way we’ve been able to integrate some of the young players into the squad this season and give them game time against top opposition."
Australia will have two debutants Saturday, with loose forwards Carlo Tizzano and Luke Reimer both named in the 23.
Tizzano is a like-for-like replacement for outstanding openside flanker Fraser McReight, who is injured, while Reimer has excelled as a finisher for the ACT Brumbies in this year's Super Rugby competition.
Alaalatoa said the Wallabies were looking forward to playing in front of a sell-out crowd at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium, a ground where they traditionally enjoy success.
"We know that we've got a great supporter base here in Queensland and we see Suncorp as our fortress," he said.
"The crowd is going to be massive and we're going to draw on them every step of the way tomorrow."
Australia (15-1):
Tom Wright; Andrew Kellaway, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu; Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon; Harry Wilson, Carlo Tizzano, Rob Valetini; Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Nick Frost, Allan Alaalatoa (captain), Matt Faessler, Issac Kailea
Replacements: Josh Nasser, James Slipper, Zane Nonggorr, Luke Reimer, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Dylan Pietsch
South Africa (15-1):
Willie le Roux; Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach; Elrigh Louw, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain); RG Snyman, Eben Etzebeth; Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche
Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Ben-Jason Dixon, Marco van Staden, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Handre Pollard
acd/fox
AFP