Siya Kolisi says the Springboks can enhance their hopes of profitable a primary Rugby Championship title since 2019 by ending their Brisbane curse towards the Wallabies on Saturday. DYLAN JACK studies.
The Boks will kick off the 2024 Rugby Championship towards the Wallabies at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday, the place they’ve a poor file towards the hosts.
The 2-time defending world champions final tasted victory on the Suncorp in 2013, which was their solely victory over the Wallabies on the venue in 12 makes an attempt since 1965.
South Africa’s file towards the Wallabies has usually contributed to them slipping up within the race towards the All Blacks for the Rugby Championship title, having final lifted the trophy when the match was truncated in 2019.
“In fact we’ve spoken about it, however for us, it’s this sport this weekend,” Kolisi mentioned. “It’s on the market that we haven’t executed rather well relating to Australia.
“On this area particularly, they’ve executed rather well. They’ve performed 12 video games [against the Springboks] and gained 11 right here. So it’s a giant factor for us.
“You’ll be able to’t win the Rugby Championship by profitable these two video games, however you possibly can lose it by not doing properly in these two video games. An important factor for us is that this one right here.
“We should be up for it from the phrase go, this weekend.”
Beneath Joe Schmidt, who changed Eddie Jones after a disastrous World Cup pool exit, the Wallabies are unbeaten in three video games, profitable a collection towards Wales, earlier than claiming a hard-fought victory over Georgia.
“We anticipate a aspect that’s going to come back out to win,” Kolisi mentioned. “It’s a sold-out stadium, they’ve the folks behind them. We’ve seen how properly they did towards Wales and Georgia.
“We all know it is going to be an enormous factor for them if they’ll get a win over us. That actually hasn’t been our focus. We’ve executed our preparation and watched the gamers individually. Most vital is what we’ve got to do.
“Up to now, once we misplaced, we didn’t ship on what we would have liked to do after which they bought the higher hand. So the main target is on us, but in addition respecting them.”
There was loads of speak again dwelling about Kolisi’s future and his proposed return to South Africa from France.
Nonetheless, being based mostly in Brisbane whereas all this has been taking place has allowed the Bok skipper to close out the noise.
“I truly don’t know what’s been mentioned. I’ve bought a giant match on Saturday and all my focus has been on this sport.
“There’s nothing I can management with what’s taking place with my future, all I can do is concentrate on what I must do proper now.”
Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Pictures
