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Springboks at home in Perth

Friday 18th July 2008

Last time out: The Boks celebrate a 22-19 victory in 2005

It may have taken South Africa 100 years to win their first Test at the House of Pain in Dunedin, but Australia will also have a hoodoo of sorts to overcome when they host the Springboks in Perth.

Maybe it's the large number of South African expats in Perth or the connection to the Indian Ocean, but for some reason the Springboks like playing in the West Australian capital, losing only one of the four Tests they have played there.

They recorded a 14-13 win in 1998, the year they secured their first Tri-Nations trophy, and a 22-19 victory in 2005.

In their other two Tests in Perth, the Springboks drew 14-all in 2001 and lost 30-26 in 2004.

Significantly, their two Test wins in Perth were the only victories the Springboks have achieved against the Wallabies on Australian soil since 1993.

Since the advent of the Tri-Nations in 1996, the Wallabies have remained undefeated against the Springboks in the two heartland cities of Sydney and Brisbane.

Australia's record against the Springboks in Perth, which is similar to Western Force's poor home record in the Super 14, suggests that Subiaco Oval will be a neutral ground at best.

"I don't think any home advantage is going to count for much basically in Perth," Wallabies assistant coach Jim Williams told AAP.

On this basis, you could mount a compelling argument that the Wallabies should never play the Springboks in Perth, particularly in their opening match of the Tri-Nations.

Obviously, the South African population in Perth helps the ARU sell tickets to Springboks Tests, but that is a short-term approach.

While it is true that the Wallabies won the Tri-Nations in 2001 despite their 14-all draw with the Springboks in Perth, the record shows it is harder to beat the South Africans in Western Force country.

Four Force stars will line up on their home ground for the Wallabies on Saturday - fly-half Matt Giteau, lock Nathan Sharpe and replacement backs Ryan Cross and Drew Mitchell.

The Wallabies' Western Force contingent have dismissed any talk of a Subiaco hoodoo haunting their Tri-Nations clash.

"We're not really aware of that and it certainly doesn't come into our preparation so we're going out there to do what we have to, and for us that's to come away with a win," said Mitchell.

"It's going to be familiar. Obviously playing here the last couple of years with the Force I get to know the surroundings and the biggest thing is I guess we feel comfortable out there."

Around 40,000 tickets have already been sold for the 43,500 capacity stadium, with the world champion Springboks enjoying huge support among the large number of ex-patriots in Perth.

Force centre Cross said the Australians, though, would still enjoy a strong home ground advantage.

"I think so, they've had to fly all the way from the south of New Zealand," he said.

"We've been here for a good week and we're ready to go."

Mitchell, who has replaced injured Force team-mate Cameron Shepherd, agreed.

"The crowd's a big factor and it's something that we can really thrive off and they're such a fanatical crowd that give the home team so much," he said.

But that crowd is also something Springboks captain Victor Matfield is looking forward to as his side seeks to build on wins in 1998 and 2005 and a draw in 2001.

"It's just another away game but it helps to have a lot of South Africans around," said Matfield.

"We went to a signing session in town and there were almost 2,000 people there to support us.

"I don't look back on records. We are just focusing on this week. But it's nice to know there are people here supporting us."

The Springboks are in the box seat to win a third Tri-Nations trophy after beating the All Blacks at Carisbrook.

Another win on the road against the Wallabies in Perth will put the world champions in an extremely strong position. One of the biggest challenges for Australia on Saturday will be to turn Perth into a home-town advantage.