Duane Vermeulen says the Springboks are expecting a very different and unpredictable challenge from the Wallabies in Perth on Sunday.
Australia are ranked seventh in the world but are unbeaten under new coach Les Kiss, with two wins against Japan followed by a win and a draw against Argentina.
“They will definitely go into this game with a proper plan and hope everything goes their way and they execute it well,” Vermeulen told the media on Wednesday.
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus has made 13 changes to the starting XV that beat the All Blacks in Baltimore and Vermeulen believes the new-look side will be ready to step up.
“Obviously we just came out of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series and we’ve made a couple of changes, but in the long run and with the guys understanding their roles, everyone knows exactly what they need to do,” said the Bok assistant coach. “Hopefully the guys take their opportunity [on Sunday] and show us what they’ve got.”
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Vermeulen expects the Wallabies to bring plenty of intensity to the contest, while challenging the Bok pack.
“They’ll be up for it and obviously we’re looking forward to it as well,” he said.
“They are really quick at the breakdown. They’ve got some good poachers, good jacklers in their squad and their scrum is also a threat because they’ve got a different way of scrumming compared to New Zealand. We also haven’t faced them this year with their lineouts and mauling.
“They’re a whole different set-up under Les Kiss and we’ll have a game on our hands come Sunday. They’ll be well-prepared and can’t be underestimated.”
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Photo: Roger Sedres/Gallo Images
