Eben Etzebeth says the Springboks have to rewrite the record books by pulling off a rare victory when the world champions clash with the Wallabies on Saturday.
Australia has been far from a happy hunting ground for the Boks, and out of the 41 Tests between the two teams in the country, South Africa has won just 12.
The Boks’ most recent victory on Australian soil was in 2013, when a Heyneke Meyer-coached team – with a then 21-year-old Etzebeth playing his 17th Test – claimed a 38-12 win in Brisbane.
Speaking at a Bok conference on Monday in the buildup to the Rugby Championship clash at the Adelaide Oval, the now 102-capped lock told reporters: “When we landed at the airport on Saturday there was an unbelievable reception from South African supporters and hopefully we can have them all there [at the match].
“But, I won’t really say we’ll be playing at a neutral ground, we’re still in Australia … the majority of the crowd will be screaming for the Aussies, so for us it’s an away Test.
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“It’s a tough team to play against in their own backyard, you don’t easily win a Test against a top rugby nation like Australia.
“They’ve always had a good home record [against the Boks], I believe our record against them in South Africa is just as good.
“We don’t have a good record in Australia, but we’ve got two chances in two weeks, so the guys are looking forward to it.”
The All Blacks rallied to end a run of five defeats in six Test matches by turning the tables on the Boks with a well-deserved win at Ellis Park.
New Zealand dominated the lineouts, starving the hosts of a platform to launch their famed rolling-maul attack, and in so doing provide the blueprint for the likes of Australia to thwart the Boks.
Etzebeth said: “I think we got some reward with a few of our mauls in the game, and penalty advantage, but we were probably looking at getting a bit more.
“Australia will look at us and know we do like mauling and will have plans to stop that, so we have to see on Saturday whose plan is better.”
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Source: AFP
Picture: Twitter/@SARugby
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