Stats & Facts: Springboks vs Wallabies
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Stats & Facts: Springboks vs Wallabies
As the Springboks prepare to host Australia for the first Rugby Championship match in Johannesburg, we take a closer look at the key stats and facts ahead of the clash in Ellis Park
1. South Africa have lost only one of their last five Tests against Australia; though, two of those meetings ended in a draw.
2. This will be the 11th meeting between South Africa and Australia at renamed Ellis Park, the Springboks having won nine of the previous 10 clashes at the venue.
3. South Africa have won only three of their last 10 games at The Rugby Championship(D2, L5), including a last-start two-point defeat to New Zealand.
4. Australia will be looking to secure back-to-back wins at The Rugby Championship for the first time since 2016 after ending their 2018 campaign with a 45-34 win overArgentina
5. South Africa have scored 22 drop goals at The Rugby Championship, as many as all three other teams combined (Australia 9, New Zealand 9, Argentina 4)
6. Dane Haylett-Petty (Australia) gained 397 metres in The Rugby Championship 2018, themost of any player and 130 more than South Africa’s best, Siya Kolisi (267)
7. Willie Le Roux (South Africa) produced the joint-most try assists (5, also New Zealand’sBeauden Barrett) in The Rugby Championship 2018, three more than any Australian player managed
8. Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa) made the most tackles (83) of any player in the Rugby Championship 2018, 33 more than the leading player in Australia’s 2019 squad Michael Hooper (50)
9. Isi Naisarani will make his debut for Australia, and is set to become Wallaby 926 when he runs out in the number 8 jersey.
10. It could also be a first Test cap for Waratahs young gun Harry Johnson-Holmes, who was a late call-up following injuries to Scott Sio and Tom Robertson at training.
11. Rynhardt Elstadt and Herschel Jantjies will make their Springbok debuts, while Lizo Gqoboka could also join them should he be used as a substitute.
12. Saturday’s Test will mark almost four years since Nic White last played in a Wallabies jersey.
14. The Wallabies haven’t played South Africa in Johannesburg since a 53-8 defeat in 2008 and haven’t won at the now renamed Ellis Park since 1963.
15. Australia are the current holders of the Mandela Challenge Plate after having retained the trophy in 2018 with both sides enjoying one win each on home soil.
16. The total Test caps for the Springbok starting line-up is 488.
17. Ten Tests have taken place for South Africa against Australia at Ellis Park, with the first on August 12, 1933 and the last on August 30, 2008.
18. The score in the last match was a record 53-8, the Boks’ biggest win against Australia ever.
19. The clash will mark a return to the Test arena for Wallabies prop James Slipper - 959 days after his last International against England at Twickenham on the 2016 Spring Tour.
20. There are 94 caps in the backline and 394 amongst the forwards while the bench have a further 128 caps.
21. Eben Etzebeth will become the third most capped lock, winning his 76th Test, surpassing Mark Andrews’ 75 Test matches.
22. Victor Matfield (127) and Bakkies Botha (85) are the most capped Springbok locks.
23. This clash will also be Etzebeth's 12th Test match as captain.
24. Should the Wallabies score a try in this Test match, it will be the 800th Test try conceded by South Africa in the history of Springbok Rugby.
25. Tendai Mtawarira will become the second most capped Springbok in the Rugby Championship, making his 51st appearance. Bryan Habana holds the records with 53 appearances.
26. The Springboks need three tries to reach 200 Test tries against Australia.
27. Elton Jantjies needs 13 points to reach 50 career points against Australia.
28. Warrick Gelant and Sbu Nkosi will face the Wallabies for the first time as will Marvin Orie if he is used as a substitute.
SA's head-to-head v Australia at Ellis Park
Played 10; Won 9; Lost 1; Drawn 0; Points for 276; Points against 121; Tries for 40; Tries against 11; Wins 90%
Team records against Australia at Ellis Park
Most points: 53 - August 30, 2008
Most tries: 8 - August 5, 1961 and August 30, 2008
Most conversions: 5 - August 30, 2008
Most penalty goals: 5 - August 22, 1998
Most drop goals: 1 - August 12, 1933 and September 9, 2006
Individual records against Australia at Ellis Park
Most points: 20 - JL Nokwe - August 30, 2008
Most tries: 4 - JL Nokwe - August 30, 2008
Most conversions: 4 - WW Greeff - August 17, 2002
Most penalty goals: 5 - PC Montgomery - August 22, 1998
Most drop goals: 1 - BL Osler - 12 August 12, 1933 and AS Pretorius - September 9, 2006
