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Perth is virtually neutral territory
Bret Harris | July 14, 2008
IT may have taken the Springboks 100 years to win their first Test at the House of Pain in Dunedin, but the Wallabies will also have a hoodoo of sorts to overcome when they host the South Africans 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 in the past decade.
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 said.
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 the West.
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.
Additional reporting: AAP