Preview: Australia v South Africa

Australia are out to regain pride and form in Saturday's opening Tri-Nations hit-out with South Africa at ANZ Stadium.

Australia are out to regain pride, form and everything else that went missing against Samoa in Saturday's opening Tri-Nations hit-out with South Africa at ANZ Stadium.

Dubbed the Wallabies' worst-ever defeat, Robbie Deans' troops will be under more pressure than they originally expected following last Sunday's shambles in Sydney.

Two defeats on the bounce in a World Cup year will be a bitter pill to swallow for the Wallabies and their supporters, especially after the Reds' success in Super Rugby which set the scene for a promising Test season ahead.

Whatever hopes 'Dingo Deans' had of building on the momentum of the Reds' Super Rugby triumph heading into the World Cup, have hit a brick wall. Instead, Australia's depth was exposed against the fired up Samoans at the same venue they must now return to this weekend with their tails between their legs.

But while it's still a bit too early to push the panic button, nothing more than a win against an inexperienced Springbok outfit will suffice come kick-off on Saturday. Mentally, it's been a draining week for Deans and his troops, who know the only way to silence their critics is to win… and win big.

It's for this reason that the Springboks are bracing for a backlash from the Wallabies – searching for their first title in a decade – after Australia relinquished their number two world ranking to the world champs following Sunday's humiliating loss.

Any hope South Africa had of catching the Wallabies napping were quickly dispelled a few days ago, as the decimated Springboks enter this clash in an attempt to prove they are serious contenders for the Tri-Nations title.

With over 20 frontline players left back in South Africa to recuperate for the Springboks' two home Tests before the World Cup starting in September, the 2009 Tri-Nations winners haven't been given a hope in hell of recapturing the southern hemisphere crown they've worn just three times in 15 campaigns.

After a less-than-stellar 2010 season, there are concerns being discussed over braais in the Republic amongst die-hard Bok fans regarding the game plan (or lack thereof), coach Peter de Villers and his merry men will use and the Super Rugby form of some key players.

But as it turns out, most of the players in question will be watching this game on the couch.

Labelled a second-string Springbok side or 'B' team, the South African tourists have had to convince everyone but themselves that this was the best squad available and squash suggestions that they will be undercooked come kick-off.

They may deny it, but there's no question of a doubt that the Bok management have given the Tri-Nations a backseat this year and instead have their World Cup plans safely strapped in the driver's seat.

Former Bok coach Jake White pulled it off in 2007 by resting his main weapons during an unsuccessful Tri-Nations that culminated in World Cup success, and De Villiers is following suit. If it worked four years ago, can you really blame him? Though perhaps it would have been a better idea to say the majority of his players were being rested, instead of “injured”.

The men in green and gold's Test season started with a bang before any game was even played after the travelling Boks were forced to turn their plane around due to engine failure.

Now safe and sound in soaking Sydney, the 102-times capped World Cup-winning skipper John Smit must lead a team consisting of three debutants and ten players with 10 caps or less.

Making their job even harder is the fact that the Springboks have not won in four encounters in Sydney since 1993.

Be that as it may, the class of '07 came mighty close to pulling off an upset win after racing into a 17-0 lead, before losing the match 25-17. Nobody gave the Boks a chance then, and nobody's really giving them a chance now. But the wet weather could just sway towards SA's favour.

Earlier this week, De Villiers spoke about winning the forward battles and starving returning Wallabies halfbacks Will Genia and Quade Cooper of quality possession. It's a tactic that if successful will go a long way to winning the game, especially if the Bok pack – boasting five Bulls – can function as a unit.

Loose forwards Danie Rossouw and Deon Stegmann, lock Flip van der Merwe, together with props Werner Kruger and Dean Greyling have played the entire Super Rugby season together in Bulls colours. Whilst the front row duo are making their debuts, they will be surrounded by familiar faces.

An area of concern for the Wallabies after their recent defeat was at the breakdown, where they were outmuscled by the Samoans, as well as at several attacking line-outs which saw the home team driven back.

South Africa will harbour similar ambitions of forward dominance, but will be wary of the Wallabies backs who possess one of the most lethal attacking back-lines in world rugby with Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Kurtley Beale and James O'Connor all back in the mix and stung to respond after Australia's press shellacking this week.

So with South Africa doing the rain dance this week and getting their wish, the big question now is how much the wet conditions will restrict Australia's Super Rugby-winning halfback combo and their dangermen out wide from creating something out of nothing.

An intriguing battle awaits.

Ones to watch:

For Australia: With a tight tussle expected, most of the attention will be aimed at the Wallabies forwards and how they can respond to the traditionally more powerful Springbok pack. After suffering several serious injuries, lock James Horwill returns to Australia's line-up for the first time since November 2009. Always punching above his weight, the Reds captain will be hungry and determined to resurrect his international career with a pugnacious performance.

For South Africa: In-form Cheetahs number eight Ashley Johnson gets a second bite at the cherry playing for South Africa – though this will be his first start on the Test arena having fallen out of contention after turning out for the Boks in two midweek fixtures during their end-of-year in 2009. The 25-year-old will be targeted, but based on the damage Johnson caused against opposition in Super Rugby, it's the Wallabies who need to be on their toes.

Head to head: Stephen Moore v John Smit. The focus stays up front where scrums will be the order of the day with a slippery ball to contend with. Smit has been taken along on this Tri-Nations trip to pocket some game-time after playing second fiddle to Bismarck du Plessis in Super Rugby with the Sharks. Smit will be carrying extra weight on his shoulders with debutants on either side of him, and needs to bring his A game in a B team to silence his critics back home. Unlike Smit's role with the Boks, Moore has not yet cemented his place as a regular starter in the Wallabies starting XV and a flawless effort will be needed to see off