South Africa vs. Australia: Date, Time, Live Stream and 2014 TRC Preview
South Africa finish off their Rugby Championship with back-to-back home fixtures against their two closest southern hemisphere competitors, and Saturday's visit of Australia promises to make or break their tournament.
Sitting level on 10 points apiece, the two teams hoping to bring New Zealand back down to Earth will compete to remain within reach of the All Blacks.
Injuries and other absences are beginning to take their toll on all four of the tournament's squads, but it only adds to the drama at hand, with either the Springboks or the Wallabies looking to maintain their title hopes at Newlands.
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Date: Saturday, September 27
Time: 4:05 p.m. BST/11:05 a.m. ET
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK, subscription required), SuperSport stream (SA, subscription required)
Key Players to Watch
South Africa: Oupa Mohoje
Injury to Francois Louw has left Heyneke Meyer in something of a pickle regarding who takes their places in his back row, and Oupa Mohoje has been given the green light for his first Springboks start at openside this Saturday.
It's been a hard-fought battle for the flanker to reach this level, as South Africa Rugby points out, but Mohoje is deserving of the candidacy, and has a key clash to consider coming up against Australia captain Michael Hooper:
Hooper's influence in all areas, both attacking and defending, ensures Mohoje will have a long day's work ahead of him, where securing ball for his side will be the first priority.
One benefit to come from this decision could be that Marcell Coetzee slots back in at blindside, a shift that could cater more comfortably to his skill set, but a stellar start will nonetheless be required from Mohoje in such high-stakes surroundings.
Australia: Israel Folau
The last time Israel Folau lined up against South Africa, it took the fullback less than a minute to get his name on the scoreboard as the Wallabies took the fight to their opponents with an unfamiliar initiative.
There have been times during this Rugby Championship where a clinical touch has been lacking among Ewen McKenzie's ranks, but with a player like Folau around, one can always bank on fireworks.
That being said, after such a stellar Super Rugby season, Folau perhaps hasn't lit up this tournament quite as spectacularly as some might have anticipated, quoted by The Daily Telegraph's Jamie Pandaram (h/t Fox Sports) in suggesting a more fluid approach is needed:
"Sometimes we’re too structured and miss opportunities that we see in front [of us], instead of just playing the game. I think that will just come over time, but I think it’s getting better."
There's definitely been a sense of apprehension around the team at times, and indeed Folau himself, but if anyone is capable of providing a spark against the Springboks, he'd be the man in the frame to do so.
Willie le Roux has enjoyed a tidal wave of good form over the past 12 months or so but has shown during the tournament small lapses in judgement, more of which Folau will be hoping to force in Cape Town.
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