Springboks vs Wallabies: 'I can't see Australia winning at Ellis Park' - Craig Ray, Daily Maverick

CapeTalk's John Maytham speaks to Craig Ray, Sports Editor at Daily Maverick.

Listen below: 

Australia's victory and committed play against the Lions on Saturday sees newfound confidence within the team, which might pose a threat to the world-number-one Boks. 

Is this a turnaround for the Wallabies?

We'll get an answer to this when they play against South Africa's back-to-back world champs, says Ray.

"I do think it's a crucial period for Australian rugby. If they don't produce a decent team and if they don't do well at their home World Cup in two years, you do wonder what the future for rugby union in Australia holds."

- Craig Ray, Sports Editor - Daily Maverick

"The real test for Australia is coming up in the Rugby Championship."

- Craig Ray, Sports Editor - Daily Maverick

Ray predicts that Australia won't beat the Springboks at Ellis Park.

"I can't see Australia winning at Ellis Park... they haven't won there since 1963. They've lost six test matches in the post-isolation era at Ellis Park by an average score of 35-17, so they pretty much get hammered at Ellis Park."

- Craig Ray, Sports Editor - Daily Maverick

"The Springboks are mixed and matched throughout their July test matches. They've found their best combinations, they've had four games if you count the Barbarians, so they're quite battle-hardened in that sense, and they've had a lot of time to prepare and they're lying in wait..."

- Craig Ray, Sports Editor - Daily Maverick

Ray thinks 'complacency' on the Springboks' side might cause some slacking.

"I think complacency could be a problem... it was an issue in the Italy test. Rassie used the word 'complacency' in the following week, so whatever complacency there was, it's been frightened out of them because he was furious after that game."

- Craig Ray, Sports Editor - Daily Maverick

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.