Rugby: Boks may spring surprise on super Wallabies: Mallett

DURBAN - The Wallabies have been told to expect a dose of their own slow-working poison when their Tri-Nations rugby campaign goes on the line against the resurgent Springboks on Sunday morning.

The warning came from South African coach Nick Mallett, who heaped praise on the Wallabies' return to the top of world rugby.

Mallett spoke in glowing terms of the Wallabies' patience, defence and the brilliance of halves George Gregan and Stephen Larkham, which he said set Australia apart from arch-rivals New Zealand.

Mallett wanted his team to match the Wallabies' ability to "slow the game down and re-start it from the third or fourth phase, with everyone knowing what is coming next."

While he said his players were still learning to be patient, Mallett insisted the Springboks could beat the world champions at King's Park.

"Australia have really honed their game over the last two or three years and they are right at the peak of a cycle.

"They are very, very patient and we must accept that the ball is going to take five, six, seven or even nine phases when they have it. They are prepared to go backwards just to retain possession.

"We know Australia is the one team we have battled against this year but turnarounds can happen very easily.

"We have never thought we are worse than Australia - we just have to play at our best to beat them."

Mallett was clearly expecting a tougher clash than last weekend when his side ended a disastrous four-match losing streak with a stunning 46-40 win over the All Blacks in Johannesburg.

The Springboks scored a record six tries against New Zealand.

But the fact that they conceded four of them is making Mallett edgy as they head towards the clash with the Wallabies.

"We are definitely going to have to keep improving our defence.

"It is really encouraging to score a lot of points but we still conceded a lot and that sort of thing could really cost us dearly against Australia."

First five-eighths Braam van Straaten has been cleared for the test after suffering severe bruising to his knee in last weekend's win.

Robbie Fleck has also been retained at second five-eighths after scoring two tries against the All Blacks and will again partner Grant Esterhuizen in midfield.

Robbie Kempson returns to the loosehead front row prop job, having been laid low by influenza before last weekend's test.

His replacement Ollie le Roux drops to the reserve bench.

Wallabies captain John Eales said winger Stirling Mortlock would retain the goal-kicking job amid speculation that the skipper might take over following his match-winning kick against New Zealand.

But Eales said that he had full confidence in Mortlock, who was off the field when the deciding kick was taken in Wellington.

New Zealand lead the table with 12 points, Australia have 10 and South Africa five. If Australia win, they take the title.

Even a loss - with four tries and by seven or less points - would give them a superior points difference.

Teams: South Africa: Thinus Delport, Chester Williams, Grant Esterhuizen, Robbie Fleck, Breyton Paulse, Braam van Straaten, Werner Swanepoel, Andre Vos (capt), Corne Krige, Johan Erasmus, Mark Andrews, Andre Venter, Cobus Visagie, Charl Marais, Robbie Kempson. Res: John Smit, Ollie le Roux, Albert van den Berg, Warren Brosnihan, Joost van der Westhuizen, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Percy Montgomery.

Australia: Chris Latham, Stirling Mortlock, Daniel Herbert, Jason Little, Joe Roff, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan, Jim Williams, David Wilson, Mark Connors, John Eales (capt), David Giffin, Fletcher Dyson, Michael Foley, Richard Harry . Res: Jeremy Paul, Glenn Panoho, Matt Cockbain, Toutai Kefu, Sam Cordingley, Rod Kafer, Ben Tune .

Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)