Springboks: Frans Steyn and Lood de Jager determined to end away drought against Wallabies that dates back to 2013

Adam Kyriacou

South Africa veteran Frans Steyn admits he is “not sure” what the reason is for their recent poor form in Australia as he prepares for Saturday’s clash.

The Springboks will run out in Adelaide in the midst of a horror streak of results against the Wallabies on Australian soil, their last success coming in 2013.

The victory was a comfortable 38-12 result in Brisbane and there are only four players in South Africa‘s current squad who were involved in that away win.

Keen to end the drought

And Steyn, who comes onto the bench this week at the expense of Willie le Roux, is determined to end the drought as the teams move into Round Three.

“Personally, I thought we struggled a bit more over here than we did in New Zealand back in the Super Rugby days as well, but I am not sure what the reason was for that,” he told the Springboks’ official website ahead of the Rugby Championship match.

“Luckily, we have an opportunity to do something special here this weekend, and hopefully we can achieve that. It certainly would be a big achievement for the team, especially since it hasn’t happened often.”

Lood de Jager is also eager not to waste this latest chance to break their hoodoo against the Wallabies, saying they will “do everything they can” to win.

“We don’t underestimate Australia at all, and we haven’t in the past,” he said. “As Frans said, we have an opportunity as a team to achieve something special that not many Springbok teams have done here, and we’ll do everything we can this week to get it right.”

This week’s game will take place at the Adelaide Oval and the Springbok lock believes that could play to his team’s advantage due to their expat support.

“There are a lot of South Africans here in Adelaide, so there is good support for the team,” said De Jager.

“This is certainly very different to what we experienced last year with the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine, so hopefully there will be a good crowd on the weekend.”

Hopes to make an impact

South Africa have made two changes to their starting team as they look to bounce back from their recent defeat to New Zealand. They have also added a third backline option on their bench as Jaden Hendrikse and Elton Jantjies join Steyn among the replacements, with the latter set to make his 75th Test appearance.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity and hopefully we can make an impact as the replacements when get a chance to take the field,” said an excited Steyn.

“In terms of my game, I received the opportunity to play against New Zealand last year, and this week I have another chance to play for the Boks, and hopefully I can deliver a good performance.”

READ MORE: Damian Willemse: The making of the Springboks’ latest Swiss Army Knife

Australia Frans Steyn Lood de Jager

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