The Wallabies “should not be within 15 points” of the Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane says this is expectation, not arrogance. He points to a champion core that is “back to back World Cup champions, winners in 2019 and 2023,” and notes Australia are “ranked 6th in the world.”
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Keohane contrasts past setbacks with recent dominance. Dave Rennie’s 2021 Wallabies bullied the Boks in Queensland, then “a year ago, the Boks returned the favour and won two-nil, on successive weekends, in Brisbane and Perth, making 10 changes to the starting XV in successive Saturdays.”
He cautions against over-crediting master plans, arguing that fine margins have mattered, from Handre Pollard’s perfect knockout kicking to opposition misses. “The margins are so fine,” he writes, adding that humility “has to live with Rassie and the Boks.”
Keohane stresses the point that tipping the Boks to manhandle Australia is “in no way disrespecting the Wallabies,” it is “complimenting the Boks on what they have achieved.” Keohane closes by urging supporters to “enjoy this time in Springboks rugby because it is history making.”
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