South Africa are bracing themselves for an Australian ambush in Saturday's Tri-Nations test when they revisit the scene of one of their most humiliating defeats.
The Springboks, unbeaten in this year's Tri-Nations, are overwhelming favourites to beat the Australians and wrap up the title but the memory of a humiliating 49-0 loss at Lang Park in 2006 has ensured they are taking nothing for granted.
The prospect of meeting a reshuffled Australian team that has come in for heavy criticism following four consecutive defeats has also left them wary.
Springboks captain John Smit said Australia, who have lost three of their four Tri-Nations by seven points or less, were a far better side than their recent results suggested.
‘When you look at the points difference in the games played, the fact we've won four and they've lost four, there's certainly not that much difference on the field between the teams,’ Smit told a new conference on Friday.
‘If we lose concentration, or if we get soft in the last 20 (minutes) and don't finish things off, we know we can lose and that's an important factor.’
Smit said he could see similarities between the current Australian team and the South African side of 2006, most of whom are still in the Springboks squad.
‘Australia have got a lot of young players ... when they get one or two wins under their belts and beat one or two good teams, things like that change the course of a team's future,’ Smit said.
The Springboks have not beaten Australia in Brisbane for 38 years and have not played at Lang Park since the 2006 thrashing.
Smit said that loss had been a major turning point in the team's development and an important step towards their victory at the 2007 World Cup in France.
‘The defeat in 2006 was a really tough lesson for us at that stage but one that helped us over the next 12 months,’ Smit said.
‘It's obviously something that will always be in the back of the minds of the guys who played but I don't think it'll play a big role tomorrow.
‘There have been a few changes in the Australian side and our emphasis is to try and do the same things that we have been doing that have worked for us in attack and defence.
‘If you get a team that's had enough time together and learnt enough lessons and trust each other and know each other well, you can turn the tables and fix things.’
