Rugby Championship predictions: Springboks and All Blacks to win openers

The Rugby Championship kicks off this weekend with the Springboks hosting the Wallabies and the All Blacks making the trip to Argentina to take on the Pumas.

Fortress Loftus gives Springboks the edge

While Australia have won three of their last four meetings with the Springboks, however they have not won in South Africa since a 2011 triumph at Kings Park.

Moreover, Australia haven’t won a Test match against the Springboks on the Highveld since 1963.

The Wallabies have never beaten the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld either but they will be banking on a little bit of Eddie Jones magic.

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Australia will aim for cunning workarounds to overcome the physicality the Springboks will throw at them.

The Springboks will be expected to play the game with few surprises given where we are in terms of the approaching Rugby World Cup.

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While the Springboks have demonstrated the ability to deploy a varied attack we might not see the full extent of that.

The Wallabies have great concerns about the effect of the Springboks extra man inside Loftus.

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“We’ve had a couple of meetings about (the atmosphere),” prop Allan Alaalatoa said. 

“Our leaders have shared their experiences on what it’s like to play in Pretoria or in South Africa with altitude, how they sing the national anthem and everyone gets involved.

“I think it was really good to hear from our experienced players and I think that’s so valuable for some of the young lads who will be feeding off those blokes come the weekend.

“We know there are going to be blokes that will be nervous, some haven’t played in a while or are playing their first game (in South Africa) so we’re trying to nut all that out through the week, put in scenarios about what we’re going to face so we’re ready for it.”

Prediction: Springboks by five points

All Blacks to down improving Pumas

The Pumas remain an unknown factor given the relative isolation they operate in since the demise of the Jaguares in Super Rugby.

However, the All Blacks are still likely to prove far too strong for the hosts.

The All Blacks have lessons to draw on from their historic loss to the Pumas in Christchurch last year.

Inspirational flyhalf Richie Mo’unga noted the work going on to prepare the All Blacks for the Pumas.

“Real good lessons learned in Christchurch,” Mo’unga reflected.

“When you get one-dimensional about your style of play against the Argentinians, that’s when you can pay [the price]. They are a big physical team, real good loose forwards who want to get on the ball and love to jackal. (www.vidaliaonion.org)

“Discipline let us down, as well.”

If Super Rugby is any barometer we can expect the All Blacks to play a kind of heightened Crusaders-style match.

Variation in attack from the All Blacks will be key as will matching the Pumas at the breakdown or finding ways to avoid it altogether which the New Zealanders are adept at as it stands anyway.

Prediction: All Blacks by 15 points