Wallabies braced for Springbok ‘retribution’

CANBERRA: The Wallabies are preparing for a Springbok backlash in their next Rugby Championship Test after breaking through for their first win in the tournament against Argentina.

Australia fought back from 1310 down at half-time to score five second-half tries in a resounding 45-20 victory over the Pumas in Canberra on Saturday.

They next face a daunting challenge against the chastened South Africans in Bloemfontein.

South Africa were hammered 57-0 in a record loss to the All Blacks in Auckland, and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is expecting the Springboks to hit back hard against his team on Sept 30.

“What I do know is that when we get to the Highveld, it’s going to be on,” Cheika told reporters yesterday.

“They’re going to be looking for some retribution on someone and that’s most likely going to be us and we’ve got to be ready for that.”

The Springboks are vowing to take it out on Australia after the humiliation of conceding 57 unanswered points to New Zealand — a South Africa record losing margin.

“I thought South Africa would go there and perform but no one knows better than us how the game can get away from you against New Zealand,” Cheika added.

Cheika said he had a couple of team changes in mind. “I think that’s been a good balance but it’s the competition for the spots,” he said. “There’s a couple of other chaps brewing in the background that we are looking to get a game in the back row.”

Those in line include Queensland Reds duo Adam Korczyk and Lukhan Tui, while NSW Waratahs flanker Jack Dempsey was impressive coming off the bench against the Pumas. AFP