South Africa are bracing themselves for a full-throttled attack from Australia when the teams clash in the Rugby Championship in Pretoria on Saturday.
The last time the teams played at Loftus Versfeld in 2010 the Springboks triumphed 44-31 after trailing at half-time.
In their other match on the high veldt that year it was the Wallabies who finally tasted success 41-39 in an epic heart-stopping affair at Bloemfontein.
South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer said they expected another fast-paced, open encounter.
“If you look at the previous games on the high veldt, they (Australia) opened up the game from the kick-off, kept the ball in hand,” Meyer said.
“I think that is probably why they will go with (Kurtley) Beale at 10 as well.
“Their intention will be to move us around and to run us around and hope we will tire.”
Meyer has matched fire with fire, naming exciting youngster Johan Goosen at five-eighth in favour of goal-kicking ace Morne Steyn, who would have been playing at home.
The coach welcomed Australia’s intentions to play at an expansive game, saying it would suit the Springboks’ game plan.
“I like that because it gives you chances of great defence to get turnovers and you score from turnovers,” he said.
“They will definitely play an attacking game, move the ball around, but that will suit our game plan as well. We will also open up the game.”
Meyer said it also influenced his decision to replace lock Juandre Kruger with Andries Bekker.
“With Australia it is always a more open game and Andries’ strong point is to pitch up as a centre, a la Victor Matfield, on the wing sometimes.”
With only one victory, over Argentina, in the Rugby Championship, the coach is under pressure but believes the team is improving with each Test.
“Three away games against three tough countries is tough.
“So we’ve changed a few things and obviously you want the guys to score tries and go out there and express themselves, so hopefully things will click.
“I am not making any promises.”