The Springboks are feeling well-prepared heading into this week’s Rugby Championship Test against Australia in Brisbane. 

The back-to-back World Champions head into the Rugby Championship on the back of a series against Ireland which ended in a 1-1 draw. The last time the Springboks managed to win a Test in Brisbane was back in 2013, and they will be eager to set the record straight. In addition, under the guidance of Joe Schmidt, the Wallabies have won their last four Tests on the bounce.

RG Snyman. Photo: Morgan Piek

It is seldom that the world’s two leading teams face each other in a Test series outside the Championship, and the Springbok lock, RG Snyman, told OFM Sport that the Ireland series was invaluable.

“Don’t think that we could have been prepared any better,” said the towering second-rower.

“You know, facing Ireland, we’ve certainly learned a lot within those two games, we have learned from it and we’ll carry that into the Championship.”

Snyman added that the Schmidt influence from his time as the Ireland coach is still there, and the recent series will give them a better understanding of his systems at the Wallabies.

“It prepared us very well, because I think they’ve got a lot of systems and stuff set up from being coached by Joe Schmidt as well. There will certainly be some differences, with a certain style of play that Australia brings and the players they have.

“But, I think in a lot of ways there will be similarities, come to set piecewise and things like that. We’re looking forward to facing that challenge as well.”

Rassie Erasmus will name his team for the Test on Tuesday and the game in Brisbane kicks off at 06:30 on Saturday.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg/mvh