Opinion
Joe’s joeys versus big-time Boks: Ranking the two teams
Paul Cully
Rugby columnistThe beauty of sport is that it is not played on paper, but on the field – a far more unpredictable canvas.
That said, South Africa are short-priced favourites with the bookies for Saturday’s clash against the Wallabies – and with good reason.
The world champions arrive in Brisbane stacked with experience and world-class performers.
They have a clear edge – on paper at least.
Australia
15. Tom Wright. The Brumbies fullback’s brilliant try against Wales in Sydney arguably papered over some cracks in his all-round game. Still looks like a No.14-and-a-half rather than an out-and-out Test fullback but there’s no doubting his ability to beat a man. 7
Tom Wright taking on Georgia last month.Credit: Getty Images
14. Andrew Kellaway. Showed his eye for an opportunity in the second Test against Wales to spark a great counterattacking try and has matured into one of the Wallabies most accomplished players. 7
13. Len Ikitau. Hasn’t returned to the peak form we saw two years ago and will have his hands full against Jesse Kriel, but has previously played very well against South Africa. 8
12. Hunter Paisami. One of the big movers in Australian rugby this year – his error rate is way lower than it used to be. His combination with Ikitau is developing nicely, and he will be one of the Wallabies’ main ball carriers. 7
11. Filipo Daugunu. Marika Koroibete is breathing down his neck and Daugunu needs a big game to cement his place. Too frequently undoes his good work with an act of ill discipline. 6
10. Noah Lolesio. July Tests unfolded in a familiar pattern: one step forward and one step back. Joe Schmidt has backed him but is also clearly attracted to Tom Lynagh’s built-for-Tests temperament and strong core skills. 6
9. Jake Gordon. Gets an extra point here on account of his strong July form. The Waratahs No.9 looks at peace with himself and Test rugby after a turbulent few years. 8
8. Harry Wilson. The big man showed glimpses of his Reds form in the win against Georgia but will know that forwards are truly tested against South Africa. 7
7. Carlo Tizzano. The mad dog from the west has been unleashed as Schmidt, pleasingly, played to Australia’s strengths, rather than manufacture a No.7 to counter South Africa’s strengths. Still, this is an enormous step up and there is a question mark about his size at Test level. 6
6. Rob Valetini. He’s world class – there’s not much more to be said than that. Needs to be well supported, so he isn’t fighting a one-man war, but he has the ability to bend the line against anyone. 9
Len Ikitau has previously played very well against South Africa.Credit: AP
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto. Boy do the Wallabies need a big game out of their big man: perhaps a Tim Horan pre-match barb can light his fire. Great when he’s on, but hasn’t been able to consistently flick the switch during his career so far. 6
4. Nick Frost. Played his way into the side with some strong carries against Georgia, but the Boks won’t be so forgiving. Would love to see him really contest the Springboks lineout without the underrated Franco Mostert. 6
3. Allan Ala’alatoa. This week’s captain is gradually returning to his best form after a long injury layoff, but he will be heavily tested by Ox Nche’s body height in the scrum. 7
2. Matt Faessler. He’s been a real find for Australian rugby over the past two years – he’s so accurate with his set-piece work. But the brutal reality is that Australian rugby doesn’t have world-class depth at No.2. 6
1. Isaac Kailea. The young prop could end up being an 8/10 inside 12 months, such is his potential, but for the moment, he’s still pretty green at this level. Faces a big challenge against Boks scrum rock Frans Malherbe. 6
Reserves: Josh Nasser, James Slipper, Zane Nonggorr, Jeremy Williams, Luke Reimer, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Dylan Pietsch. 6
WALLABIES TOTAL: 108
South Africa
15. Willie le Roux: The 34-year-old’s brains have always been quicker than his legs, and his absence from the URC final was a major reason the Bulls lost to Glasgow. 8
14. Cheslin Kolbe: One of the best players in the world, mixing speed, agility and bravery. The Wallabies can’t afford to give him any space. 9
13. Jesse Kriel. Grown from a Mr Fixit-style utility into the first-choice No.13 ahead of Lukhanyo Am. 7
12. Damian de Allende. Consistently one of the best No.12s in the world for years. A battering ram off first-phase ball and an outstanding defender. 8
11. Kurt-Lee Arendse. Speed to burn, which he puts to use as a tireless kick chaser. Boks have the edge on raw speed out wide. 7
10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. The new golden boy of South African rugby – athletic, skilful and composed. Looks like a generational talent, but has played a lot of his Stormers rugby at No.12 and a first Test start at No.10 will have its challenges. 7
Cheslin Kolbe is one of the world’s best players.Credit: AP
9. Cobus Reinach. The rapid halfback is one of those blokes who doesn’t get a lot of plaudits but always steps up when needed. 7
8. Elrigh Louw. The big Bulls loose forward gets the chance to fill the large gap left by Duane Vermeulen. Promising but unproven. 6
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit. The best player of the World Cup final last year – a two-metre tackling machine. 9
6. Siya Kolisi. The inspirational captain is now 33 but wants to play at the World Cup in Australia in 2027. Will lurk on the edges in a new attack shape. 8
5. RG Snyman. The enormous lock is arguably a better impact player, but the Wallabies will have to be wary of his offloads. 7
4. Eben Etzebeth. Enforcer has arguably been the best lock in the world in recent years. 9
3. Frans Malherbe. Has clearly worked on his conditioning, but puts his barrel chest to best work in the scrum. 7
2. Bongi Mbonambi. Always hugely physical for 40-50 minutes before his tag-team partner Malcolm Marx is injected. 7
1. Ox Nche. Coming into his prime as a prop, and the weapon the Boks will use to squeeze penalties at scrum time. 8
Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Ben-Jason Dixon, Marco van Staden, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Handre Pollard. 8
SPRINGBOKS TOTAL: 122
Watch all the action from The Rugby Championship with every match streaming ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport. Round 1 kicks off Saturday, August 10 with Wallabies v South Africa (2pm AEST) and All Blacks v Argentina (4:30pm AEST).