Saturday’s second-row battle between Eben Etzebeth and Will Skelton at Ellis Park excites former Wallaby Simon Poidevin.

Speaking to Rapport from Sydney, the 59-Test veteran and 1991 World Cup winner described facing the Springboks on the Highveld as “a monster of a challenge”.

“In my opinion, the Wallabies have a much better chance of pulling off a shock victory over South Africa in Cape Town the following week,” Poidevin said.

“With the South Africans no longer in Super Rugby, our players have no experience of flying over and playing at such a high altitude in front of a rowdy, emotional crowd. It will take quite an adjustment.”

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Poidevin was impressed by Australia’s progress in their 2-1 series defeat to the British & Irish Lions, capped by a 22-12 win in the third Test.

“That was quite an achievement. It’s not as if the Boks overwhelmed the Lions in 2021,” he said. “The recent series has undoubtedly put a spring in the Wallabies’ step. The skill level is back up, and the backline is starting to come into its own.”

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He praised scrumhalf Nic White’s kicking game and experience, as well as Skelton’s impact since returning to the starting lineup.

“I can’t wait to see how Skelton and Etzebeth tackle each other. Skelton set the standard for the Aussie pack – extraordinary in size and skill.

“You can’t face South Africa without a big, aggressive pack, and we now have that in the starting eight, though I’m still worried about the Boks’ Bomb Squad.”

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