The Gold Coast Bulletin

Wary Wallabies set for fiery Bok-lash

- IAIN PAYTEN

THE Wallabies are bracing for the impact of Hurricane Springbok in South Africa next week as they prepare to fly into a country still reeling from a 57-0 drubbing delivered by the All Blacks last weekend in New Zealand.

Michael Cheika’s men depart for Johannesbu­rg tomorrow on the first leg of their two-stop tour of Africa and Argentina.

The Springboks suffered a record defeat at the hands of New Zealand last start and the recriminat­ions in South Africa have been bitter.

Former Boks coach Nick Mallett said “criticisin­g this Bok team is like clubbing a baby seal” but social media trolls have given the club a good swing regardless.

It got so personal South Africa captain Eben Etzebeth this week called on people to lay off their loved ones.

“I can understand people being upset with us. They’re allowed to be, but keep our families out of it,” Etzebeth said. “There are some terrible people out there, saying some nasty things to our wives and girlfriend­s, and that’s not nice to hear.”

It could suggest a Bok outfit in turmoil but perhaps more than any other team in world rugby, the Wallabies know only too well the All Blacks’ drubbing doesn’t make the Springboks vulnerable, but exactly opposite: it makes them highly dangerous.

Only last month the Wallabies were belted 54-34 by New Zealand in Sydney but after motivated by a torrent of heavy criticism, the Australian side almost beat New Zealand in Dunedin a week later.

After two weeks stewing on their 57-point defeat, the Springboks will be a formidable foe on home soil in Bloemfonte­in, says Wallabies halfback Nick Phipps.

“It’s not lost on any of us is they’ll be coming out guns blazing,” Phipps said.

“Playing in South Africa is a different sort of beast, they grow another leg.

“And we know they’re under the pump over there. They’d be looking to turn it around.”

Phipps said that the week after a bad loss was a time where teams galvanised.

CRITICISIN­G THIS BOK TEAM IS LIKE CLUBBING A BABY SEAL. FORMER COACH NICK MALLETT

 ?? Picture: GETTY IMAGES ?? Wallabies halfback Nick Phipps says the Springboks are under the pump and ready to vent their frustratio­n on Australia.
Picture: GETTY IMAGES Wallabies halfback Nick Phipps says the Springboks are under the pump and ready to vent their frustratio­n on Australia.

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