Springboks smash Wallabies in Rugby Championship opener
South Africa unveiled a revolutionary lineout trick play, using brains and brawn to annihilate a hapless Wallabies team in front of a sell-out Brisbane crowd.
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South Africa unveiled a revolutionary lineout trick play, using brains and brawn to annihilate a hapless Wallabies team in front of a sell-out Brisbane crowd that at times felt like a home game for the Springboks.
In a completely one-sided match, the world champions dominated the collisions, scrums and kicking battle, while shutting down Australia’s uninspiring attack for a record-equalling win on Australian soil, 33-7.
And they’ve added new weaponry to their already stacked arsenal, with a unique lineout manoeuvre that will have rivals scrambling to work out a defensive strategy.
Siya Kolisi scored from the innovative lineout trick play in the 10th minute. Hooker Bongi Mbonambie threw to the back of the lineout where it was taken by flanker Ben-Jason Dixon, who then threw back to the lifted Eben Etzebeth at the front of the lineout.
From the ensuing drive, and with the Wallabies defenders split, Kolisi powered over the tryline.
The Boks used the tactic again later in the half, and while it didn’t result in a try, the pressure resulted in another scrum from which they applied more pressure and eventually scored again through winger Kurt-Lee Arendse.
It is the latest example of South Africa and their head coach Rassie Erasmus thinking outside the box, or more aptly, thinking inside the Boks.
Last year, Springboks became the first team to use a 7-1 bench split, opting for seven forwards and a replacement halfback against the All Blacks, winning the game comfortably before the World Cup.
They then used the tactic again to win the World Cup final against the Kiwis, with outside back Willie le Roux the lone back on the bench for the decider which they won 12-11 in Paris.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said this week it all starts with the set-piece. The Springboks well and truly bullied Australia in the scrum, winning multiple penalties as the Wallabies went backwards.
There was much to be excited about after Schmidt’s first three games in charge. Now comes the annual head-scratching after falling short to a Rugby Championship rival.
The way the Wallabies were outmuscled will be a major concern for Schmidt, heading to Perth next week for a second showdown with the Boks.
The inept kicking game of halves Noah Lolesio and Jake Gordon will be scrutinised, while one obvious change will be to reintroduce Marika Koroibete into the backline.
In large parts, Australia was unable to punch through the Boks’ firm defence, and Koroibete is one player capable of doing so.
South Africa had all the momentum in the first half, taking a 21-0 lead to the break – their biggest half-time lead against the Wallabies in Australia.
Second half tries to Kwagga Smith and Arendse had the visitors 33-0 ahead, to the delight of the many green-donned supporters among the 52,019 packed into Suncorp Stadium.
Late in the second half, the Boks were defending with just 13 men after Malcolm Marx (68th minute) and Marco van Staden (72nd) were sin-binned, and finally the Wallabies crossed in the 76th minute through Hunter Paisami.
Andrew Kellaway had received a yellow card for a flip tackle on Boks halfback Cobus Reinach in the 31st minute, with the matter reviewed but not deemed to meet the red card threshold.
The Boks were forced to make a late change with RG Snyman ruled out with a foot injury, leading du Toit to start at lock and Dixon coming off the bench to start in the backrow.
But they played with seamless precision.
Rookie five-eighth Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, making his first Test start, was composed and showed glimpses of becoming an international star with a strong running and kicking game, while setting up a try to man-of-the-match du Toit with a lovely short ball in the 24th minute.
For Australia, this result brings them crashing back to Earth after wins over Wales and Georgia to start the year.
And there could be more headaches, with Filipo Daugunu (leg) and Nick Frost (concussion) leaving the field early, while Taniela Tupou – who missed this match after the death of his father – could also miss the Perth trip, potentially returning to Tonga next week to support his family.
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