Wallabies plan 'big' surprise for Boks
Australia believe they are much closer to producing a big win than their two recent losses to New Zealand suggest.
Speaking ahead of his team's Round Three Rugby Championship encounter with South Africa in Perth on Saturday, veteran lock Nathan Sharpe pointed to the 'small margins' that existed in their 19-29 (in Sydney) and 0-22 (in Auckland) defeats against the All Blacks.
Sharpe told a media scrum in Perth that "small adjustments" will make a "big difference" when they take on the Springboks.
The Wallabies will be looking for their first win of the series against an unbeaten Bok team (following a win and a draw against Argentina) in a city where the South Africans have a significantly better record than their hosts.
Their previous six encounter in Perth have produced three Bok wins, a draw and just two Wallabies victories.
"It's motivation," Sharpe said of the losses to the Kiwis last month.
"The guys are all proud Australians and we want to make sure that the next time we take to the track we get a victory.
"There's plenty for us to do in terms of getting things right on the field, but minor adjustments will see a big difference."
The Springboks beat competition newcomers Argentina 27-6 in Cape Town, but they could only scrape a fortuitous 16-16 draw and are under pressure at home as they attempt to stop a four-match losing streak against the Wallabies.
"This is very much a new Springboks side with a new coach and all the rest of it," said Sharpe.
"The one thing they will bring is that national pride and they will be strong up front and on the back of that they've got very good tactical kicking skills."
The match will be Sharpe's last in Perth, where he played Super Rugby for several seasons with the Western Force, but sentiment was not on his mind.
"It will be great to play well and win the game in what will be my last game in Perth," the lock said.
"This weekend I'm probably a bit over farewells to be honest. I will just be happy with the win."
Source: AAP