How do you beat the world champion Springboks? Start by getting them to fly to Australia

The Wallabies’ social media team this week posted a clip asking players to use one word to describe Suncorp Stadium. “Cauldron”, “fire”, and “intimidating” all got a run, but “fortress” was comfortably the most popular, ahead of “home”.

As a snapshot, it said plenty about the confidence the Wallabies draw from playing at Suncorp Stadium, and later on the same day, that confidence grew even more with news the Brisbane venue was now sold out for their clash with the Springboks on Saturday afternoon.

As their most successful venue in Australia - where they’ve won 75 per cent of games - the Wallabies consider Suncorp Stadium a 16th man.

Which is just as well, because they may need an extra player or two if they’re any hope of beating the world champion Springboks.

The settled Springboks come into the opening game of the Rugby Championship as raging favourites. After the Wallabies had long since departed the tournament, South Africa claimed back-to-back Rugby World Cups last year in Paris by dispatching France, England and New Zealand.

And as Joe Schmidt’s side were scratching their way to wins over Wales and Georgia last month, the Boks drew 1-1 in an intense series with Ireland, which amounted to an unsanctioned world title defence.

South Africa are experienced and in form, and unlike a year ago when they fielded a second-string team (to preserve their stars for a trip to New Zealand) and still pumped the Wallabies in Pretoria, coach Rassie Eramus is sending out his big guns in Brisbane.

In a team imperiously named by Erasmus on Tuesday - 48 hours before the deadline - the Boks listed nine of the same starting XV from the Rugby World Cup final, and another three on the bench.

South Africa are the world no.1 side after winning the last two World Cups.Credit: AP

Perhaps more telling is that the starting XV team also contains seven from the 2019 Rugby World Cup final.

Erasmus is in no rush to begin a mass rebuild for the next World Cup cycle. By picking few new faces - one being rising star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at No.10 - the team is less experienced than the most-capped Springbok team ever, used against Ireland in July. But it still contains over 500 collective caps in the starting pack.

In stark contrast, the Wallabies will name another changed team on Thursday with a debutant replacing the best player from July, up to four front-rowers with under 10 caps and a new halves pairing.

Len Ikitau scores a try during a 2021 victory over the Springboks in Brisbane.Credit: Getty

Schmidt is set to recall Noah Lolesio to the No.10, with Jake Gordon returning to halfback. Tom Lynagh is also set to be named on a 5-3 bench.

The injury-forced absence of Fraser McReight, who was outstanding in July, is set to see Western Force flanker Carlo Tizzano named for a debut, and while the firebrand will relish the physical challenge, his first Test experience will be up against the mighty duo of Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph Du Toit.

Since 1995, the Boks have won four World Cups but only five of 33 Tests in Australia.

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will join Nick Frost and bulk up the pack, but up front, Matt Faessler and Isaac Kailea will also be vastly outgunned in terms of experience. Taniela Tupou’s availability on the pine is also under some doubt, due to family illness.

So, cold hard logic must be part of the conversation when discussing the chances of the regenerating Wallabies on Saturday, even with the help of a 16th man.

Where it gets interesting, however, is when it comes to South Africa’s record in Australia. Logic has often taken a day off.

Behind New Zealand (22 per cent), Australia has proven to be the second-hardest country for the Springboks to win Test matches, with a win rate of just 30 per cent.

They win at least half of their Tests everywhere else in the world, but the Boks find it hard to get the chocolates after hopping off a Qantas flight.

Since 1995, the Boks have won four World Cups but only five of 33 Tests in Australia.

After the Wallabies beat the Boks twice during the COVID bubble era in 2021, and then again in Adelaide in 2022, the visitors’ win in Sydney was their first in 11 years.

“That last Test in Adelaide, I think they shocked us quite a bit,” Springboks centre Damian de Allende said on Tuesday. “But we’re a lot more prepared than what we were in 2022.”

Erasmus addressed the poor run by flying over to Australia last week, removing “excuses” behind the poor form and losses of the past.

Whether a 50,000-seat fortress, some sunshine and an unusual 2.30pm kickoff can help the Wallabies throw a spanner into the Springbok machine remains to be seen.

Watch all the action from The Rugby Championship with every match streaming ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport. Round 1 kicks off Saturday, August 10 with Wallabies v South Africa (2pm AEST) and All Blacks v Argentina (4:30pm AEST).