Wallabies legend David Campese makes his predictions ahead of the weekend’s Rugby Championship action.
Ahead of a decisive weekend in the Rugby Championship, Wallabies legend David Campese makes his predictions as the Springboks host the All Blacks and Australia clash with Argentina.
The great Wallabies winger picks out his players to watch, his main head to head and previews the weekend’s action which could result in the Springboks being crowned champions.
Springboks v All Blacks
“It’s interesting to see Rassie Erasmus changing it up again in terms of selection, with Handre Pollard slotting back in at ten. This isn’t a slight on others that have played in the previous three rounds, it’s more so that the Springboks recognise the need for a squad of 35 for Rugby World Cup 2027 and he’s building for exactly that,” Campese remarked.
“South Africa are said not to enjoy playing in Cape Town – they’ve had a few losses there and there will be a massive contingent of All Blacks support there. You might argue that this is New Zealand’s best chance of a result but last weekend at Ellis Park they held all the aces for a period until the Boks came back. Now, the best All Blacks sides would have kicked on from that position as South Africa played catch up, and it shows exactly where this team is that they failed to do that.
“I suspect the South Africa will be less adventurous with the side they have picked- that might just play into the All Blacks’ hands if they can win that crucial collision – something easier said than done against the Springbok behemoths up front. I feel that New Zealand are lacking power in their locking department compared to South Africa and that’s really been an issue for them in the physical battle.”
Head-to-Head: “It has got to be Handre Pollard v Damian McKenzie! A clash of styles and one where I believe that DMac will keep ball in hand more, whereas Pollard will put boot to it. Both are world-class performers and whoever comes out on top personally will take the Test.
Players to Watch: “With the ten battle so close, the guys that supply the ball, Grant Williams and Cortez Ratima, will be crucial. Neither have masses of Test experience so again, their performance will be critical. I also think that Jasper Wiese v Ardie Savea is a box-office clash and one I’ll relish watching.”
Campo’s Call: “Matthew Carley is a very accurate referee and one that doesn’t allow latitude of others – so the scoreboard pressure will be key. 29-26 to the Boks as they complete a clean sweep of the opening four rounds of the 2024 Rugby Championship.
Springboks v All Blacks preview: Rassie Erasmus’ men to ‘complete the double’ in ‘glorious humdinger’ edition of rugby’s greatest rivalry
Argentina v Australia
“I’d like to start this by congratulating both Julian Montoya and James Slipper- Montoya becomes a Test centurion and rightly so- a world-class hooker, brilliant over the ball and an iconic leader. Slipper will equal George Gregan’s 139 cap record for the Wallabies and has been a wonderfully consistent servant to the Gold and Green.
“Last weekend was an interesting battle. Due to the weather, the floor contest really came into the match and Carlo Tizzano had a blinder, able to compete better for scraps than the huge Los Pumas back-row. They’re a world-class trio- one of the best- but they’re big men- all over 6’4” and the conditions didn’t favour their style. But if you don’t have a floor man like Tizzano then keep the ball off the ground and Argentina simply didn’t do that.
“I’m told that the Wallabies backroom aren’t happy with the communication in the backline and that’s one of the