The Springboks are desperate to end their losing streak against the Wallabies in Australia when they square off in Adelaide on Saturday, lock Eben Etzebeth says.
The Boks have not won a match against the Wallabies on Australian soil since 2013 and are expecting a tough battle against a wounded home side who lost to Argentina in their last outing.
The Springboks’ last victory in Australia in 2013 came when Heyneke Meyer’s team claimed a 38-12 win in Brisbane.
“Australia is a difficult team to play against and they are one of the top rugby playing nations,” Etzebeth said.
“Teams always have a good record at home and it will be an unbelievable challenge for us on Saturday.
“We are playing Australia on consecutive weekends and we are ready and looking forward to it.”
Etzebeth, a veteran of 102 Tests in the green and gold, says he is hungry to play many more Tests for his country.
“I don’t want to rest and I want to play every game I can for the Boks if the coach picks me.
“I still feel young and good and it is great for me to play.
“When we landed at the airport in Adelaide, there were an unbelievable amount of SA supporters to greet us.
“Hopefully they will be at the game.
“But we know 95% of the stadium will be shouting for the Aussies.
“So for us, it is an away Test and it is a nice challenge for us.
“We don’t have a good record in Australia.
“But we are getting two chances in two weeks so the guys are looking forward to that.”
Etzebeth said the Boks would be working on their mauling ahead of the clash.
“Every Test match is a new challenge, we know we have things to work on and mauling is one of them.
“We did get reward from some mauls in the game against New Zealand, winning penalties.
“But probably we were looking to get a bit more.
“It is something we will work on.
“Australia will look at us and they do know we like mauling so they will plan to stop that.
“We will have to see on Saturday who has the better plan.”
Asked if the reason the Boks did not have an impressive record in Australia was because their main focus was on beating the All Blacks, Bok coach Jacques Nienaber said: “It’s not that we have an eye on New Zealand and we take a lesser stance against Australia.
“I just think playing Australia in Australia is tough.
“All I know is that as a group, since we have been together since 2018, we have played three times in Australia and we have lost all three.
“It is a tough game so our group is at zero against Australia and it is a big challenge for us.
“It shows the passion Australia have when they play in front of their home crowd.
“We will prepare as best we can to get a result, but it is a tough place to come and win for us.
“I have not been to Adelaide before but some of our players have played Sevens here before.
“So there are a few of us who have played here.
“So what they experienced when playing here they are sharing with us.”
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