After playing their last three matches on foreign soil, the Springboks are banking on home comforts and familiarity to help get them across the line when they host the Wallabies in Pretoria on Saturday.
Allister Coetzee’s Boks go into the Rugby Championship match having lost three games in a row, all of them away from home. They lost for the first time in Argentina a month ago, going down to Los Pumas in Salta, and then also came unstuck against Australia in Brisbane and the All Blacks in Christchurch.
On Saturday at Loftus Versfeld, the Boks will be hoping to turn around their forgettable season so far. It is a venue that has been good to Bok rugby in the past and it is a ground the Wallabies won’t have fond memories of.
In fact, the Australians have lost all five matches played there between the teams since 1992. In 1997 they lost 61-22, in 2011 they went down 20-15, in 2005 they were edged 22-16, in 2010 they were beaten 44-31 and in 2012 they were hammered 31-8.
Returning tighthead prop Julian Redelinghuys and Bok forwards coach Matt Proudfoot both feel Loftus Versfeld could be a major ally for the beleaguered team on Saturday.
“It’s a similar sort of ground to Ellis Park in that it’s at a high altitude,” said Redelinghuys, who plays his rugby just down the N1 with the Lions. “Loftus is a proud rugby park and I know that because this is a home game, the guys will bring a little extra something to the match. We know a lot of tickets have been sold and want to give the supporters a good show.
“The Springboks are such a massive brand that we just want to do it proud,” said the burly prop, who missed the recent trip to Australasia because of a hamstring injury.
Proudfoot, who also played many a game at Loftus in his younger days, added the Boks were keen to make up for their recent losses on home soil. “Loftus is a great ground, it’s a really imposing place to play rugby,” he said.
“It’s also really good to be home again. I like to think the Boks thrive in South Africa; it’s an environment where you play to make the country proud. That’s what playing at a place like Loftus is all about; the people are very passionate, and as a Bok side we want to do it justice. We all feel a responsibility to deliver a big performance this weekend.”
While Redelinghuys missed out against Australia and New Zealand recently, he said he was greatly encouraged by what he saw of the Boks in Brisbane and Christchurch. “It’s nice to see we’re improving each game. There’s definitely growth in the squad and it’s exciting to see the guys getting closer together. The only thing now is to get the small detail right, but it’s improving and I’m excited about what’s happening in the squad.”
It is understood that 40 000 tickets have been sold, which will ensure Loftus is nearly a sell-out.
Kick off is 5pm.
The Star