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World champions South Africa will launch their 2024 Rugby Championship campaign on August 10 in Brisbane, a city where they have lost 11 of 12 professional era tests against Australia.
The disastrous record of the Springboks there began in 1997 when beaten 32-20 by the Wallabies and includes a humiliating 49-0 drubbing nine years later.
South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus is aware of the jinx, saying “Australia are a quality team and, historically, a force to be reckoned with at home”.
The Springboks leave Johannesburg on Wednesday for Sydney with a squad lacking some regular first choices due to injuries and a suspension, but containing 22 Rugby World Cup winners.
AFP Sport looks at some of the selection choices facing Erasmus as South Africa seek to emulate the team of 2013, who triumphed by 26 points in Brisbane for the lone Springboks success there.
FLY-HALF
Handre Pollard, Manie Libbok and exciting new kid on the block Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu are the contenders for the No 10 shirt.
Pollard boasts experience and eight successes from eight kicks at goal in a last-gasp one-point loss to Ireland this month emphasised his strength, but he is less impressive with ball in hand.
Libbok is a more creative playmaker, but an erratic goal kicker, while 22-year-old Feinberg-Mngomezulu has consistently impressed in four appearances off the bench.
SCRUM-HALF
With first choice Faf de Klerk recovering from an undisclosed injury, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams and Morne van den Berg are vying to start. – SuperSport
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter