A weakened Springboks side will have everything to play for against the Wallabies at the Ellis Park fortress on Saturday, writes JON CARDINELLI.

The Boks employed a headlless-chicken approach for much of the 2008 Tri-Nations. It’s for this reason that the performance in the final game of the campaign against Australia at Ellis Park came as such a welcome surprise.

The forwards overpowered their Wallabies counterparts. Halfbacks Fourie du Preez and Butch James took good tactical options and kicked the hosts into important field positions.

Jongi Nokwe scored four tries and the Boks went on to claim a record 53-8 victory.

That result marked the start of a fantastic run for Peter de Villiers’ Boks. After claiming three straight wins in the United Kingdom, South Africa went on to beat the British & Irish Lions 2-1 in the series staged in South Africa.

From there, the Boks won five out of six Tri-Nations games – including three against New Zealand – and lifted the title for the third time.

Eleven years later, and the buildup to the next meeting between the Boks and Australia at Ellis Park should be very different.

BOK RECORD vs AUSTRALIA IN SA

Coaches Rassie Erasmus and Michael Cheika will have one eye on the World Cup. That tournament may shape their selections and strategies in the preceding Rugby Championship.

Erasmus has more or less stated that the Boks’ Rugby Championship campaign will be built around the Test against the All Blacks in Wellington. A group of 15 players will arrive in New Zealand later this week, and will not be available for the game against the Wallabies in Johannesburg.

Erasmus wants the Springboks to make an impression against the All Blacks ahead of the World Cup pool clash in Yokohama on 21 September. If the Boks win in New Zealand for a second successive time, they will take a lot of confidence into the game in Japan.

WORLD CUP WATCH: Bok B side has key role to play

The match against the Wallabies remains important for several reasons. Erasmus will look to experiment with several new players and combinations with a view to the World Cup. A few players returning from serious injuries will be given a chance to stake a claim for a place in the ‘A’ side.

Then there’s the matter of the result. No team has won the Tri-Nations or the Rugby Championship as well as the World Cup in the same season. In the past, we’ve seen the Boks and All Blacks sacrificing a few Rugby Championship results in the name of preparation for the global tournament.

That said, the Boks should be mindful of their proud record against the Wallabies. The most recent win in 2018 marked their 35th victory against Australia in South Africa and they currently enjoy a success-rate of 76%.

LAST 10 MEETINGS IN SA

The record indicates how poorly Australia have fared in South Africa over the past 10 matches. Fixtures on the highveld have proved particularly difficult, as the Wallabies have battled to cope with the altitude as well as the atmosphere created by hostile home crowds.

Kurtley Beale silenced what was a particularly vocal crowd at the Free State Stadium nine years ago. A last gasp penalty secured the Wallabies their first win on the highveld since they triumphed at Ellis Park in 1963.

That earlier result marks Australia’s one and only success at the spiritual home of South African rugby.

The class of 2019 may feel that another rare win at Ellis Park is within their reach. Their chances of succeeding where so many other Wallabies sides have failed will improve if Erasmus follows through with his promise to field a second-string side this Saturday.

ALSO READ: Wallabies player robbed in Johannesburg

It’s something for the Boks to think about.

Individual players may be focused on impressing the coach and strengthening their chances of selection for the World Cup. One would hope, however, that the team that fronts the Wallabies at Ellis Park realises what else is at stake, and that they fight to preserve a proud record at the South African fortress.

BOKS vs AUSTRALIA AT ELLIS PARK

Photo: Getty Images