Springboks to target Australia scrum

SYDNEY - South Africa are planning to follow New Zealand's lead and attack Australia's suspect scrum in tonight's Tri-Nations match at Lang Park in Brisbane.

Australia thought they had solved the problems that plagued them on last year's European tour by easily beating England and Ireland in June, but their 32-12 loss to New Zealand last weekend showed they still have a lot of work to do.

The Wallaby forwards crumbled against the might of the New Zealand pack and South Africa coach Jake White said his team would be trying to do the same.

"You never move away from what works for you," White said.

"If you've got a pack of forwards and that's one way you can dominate and win games then stick to it."

Australian coach John Connolly is rebuilding the Wallaby pack in preparation for next year's World Cup in France but prop Greg Holmes said the players' inexperience at test level was not an excuse.

"We know we didn't perform well in New Zealand but we're playing for our country so we really have to muscle up more and perform better," Holmes said.

Australia's strength undoubtedly lies in their dazzling backline despite ongoing criticism of captain George Gregan's performances but veteran hooker Jeremy Paul scoffed at suggestions the forwards were not up to international standard.

"We do have one of the most exciting backlines in the world, but I also really believe we have the potential to be one of the best forward packs in the world," Paul said.

"I've played in a few Australian packs over the years...I probably see just as much, if not more talent, in this pack of eight than I've ever played with."

Paul replaced the injured Tai McIsaac in one of three changes to the side that lost to New Zealand last week, with Scott Fava coming in at number eight and Matt Giteau replacing Mat Rogers at inside centre.

The Springboks have also been forced to make wholesale changes after being decimated by injuries with winger Akona Ndungane and No 8 Pierre Spies both chosen to make their test debuts.

White flagged his intentions to tackle the Australians front on when he predictably named a monster pack weighing in at more than 900 kilograms although he concedes the extra beef is no guarantee of success.

The Springboks have plenty of problems of their own after an unimpressive start to the new season that included being beaten by France last month.

South Africa are also renowned as bad travellers and have won just one Tri-Nations match away from home since 1998 while White admits the pressure is on him to keep his position if the results don't start improving.

"One of the negatives of this job is that you have to appreciate that you can get fired," he said.

"It doesn't mean I will get fired, but the reality is that it's the nature of the game in our country, we have high expectations."

- REUTERS