Zimpapers Logo

Cape Town —Two Springboks will make their debuts against the Wallabies at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, while a third could make his mark off the bench.

In naming his 23-man squad for the clash in Pretoria, coach Allister Coetzee handed Stormers prop Vincent Koch and Bulls scrumhalf Rudy Paige the opportunity to make their maiden starts against Australia.

In addition, Lions front-rower Julian Redelinghuys will also get a taste of life against the Wallabies should he be used as a substitute.

The Boks have a perfect 5-from-5 record in previous Rugby Championship matches against Australia at Loftus, with an average winning margin of 18 points (36-18).

Saturday’s clash will be the 83rd between South Africa and Australia since they first clashed on July 8, 1933 at Newlands in Cape Town (Boks won 17-3).

Of the previous 82 encounters, the Springboks have won 45, lost 36 with one draw.

The Springboks’ biggest victory over Australia came during the 2008 Tri-Nations when Peter de Villiers’ men triumphed 53-8 in Johannesburg.

Sadly, in one of SA rugby’s darkest days, their biggest defeat to the Wallabies came during the 2006 Tri-Nations in Brisbane when Jake White’s side crashed to a 49-0 loss.— Sport24.