Springboks Mental Strength Will Seal Tri-Nations At Suncorp

This week the Springboks have shown the sort of side that they have evolved into under Peter de Villiers.

There has been no complacency, no high-fives for winning in Perth, and no talk about getting the two points needed to seal the Tri-nations. Instead the Springboks have shown they are simply focused strong on winning their next Test match.

In Brisbane, where there are rival football codes, and an AFL game across town on the same night, it must be an odd sensation for the Springboks to escape some of the media spotlight.

It has not taken anything away from either their own focus or the sense of occasion. This Springboks team simply goes about it's business, answering only to its teammates, its supporters and the country which it represents with enormous pride.

The Boks are on top of their game, and are brimming with confidence in their ability. Impressively they realise they are only as good as their next 80 minutes and start at nil-all against Australia on Saturday night.

They're immune to criticism over their tactics, preferring to focus on the aspects they can control, and then improve, improve and improve some more.

It's hard to see where Australia can beat the Springbok side. Possibly by gaining parity in the forwards, spreading the ball, creating chances through Giteau and Barnes and finishing accurately, they might just get there. But they'll have to start well, and go for all 80 minutes, because this Springbok side has responded to everything thrown at them in this year's Tri-nations.

I'm picking the Springboks to win again, not because of their physicality, their brute strength, or their consistent team selection.

The Springboks are better because they're a champion side. They are determined, mentally strong, and have only one focus. To go for the kill and put away the Wallabies. The Tri-nations title for 2009 will be an added bonus.

Springboks to win by 12 points.