Boks eye Aussies after win over NZ

SOUTH Africa wants to beat Australia for only the second time in seven Tests tomorrow and avoid being labelled onematch wonders after a stunning win over New Zealand.

A seesaw season for the Springboks under new coach Johan ‘Rassie’ Erasmus has brought four wins and four losses with a thrilling 36-34 victory in Wellington this month the highlight.

Before inflicting a rare home defeat on the world champions, the South Africans were lacklustre in away defeats by Argentina and Australia.

Erratic form has left them with little chance of winning the Rugby Championship for the first time as they trail the All Blacks by six points with two rounds remaining.

But home fixtures against Australia in Port Elizabeth, and New Zealand in Pretoria next Saturday, offer South Africa an opportunity to build momentum.

“We do not want to be known as one-match wonders,” stressed scrum-half Faf de Klerk said ahead of the showdown with struggling Australia at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in the coastal city.

“All the gloss of defeating the All Blacks in Wellington will disappear if we deliver a mediocre performance at home to the Wallabies and lose.

“Having celebrated the victory in New Zealand, the focus quickly shifted to plotting a victory over the Wallabies.”

Erasmus has made four personnel changes — three injury enforced — from the Wellington starting line-up for the southern hemisphere championship fifth-round match.

Cheslin Kolbe comes in on the right wing for Jesse Kriel, who switches to centre in place of Lukhanyo Am and partners Andre Esterhuizen, a replacement for Damian de Allende.

Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira wins his 105th cap as loosehead prop.

Centre Reece Hodge is upbeat ahead of the first match between the countries in Port Elizabeth since 1963 when South Africa triumphed to draw a four-Test series.

“They had a great win over the All Blacks but their supporters, like ours, are going to demand consistency.”