De Villiers: don’t write off Australia

SOUTH AFRICA centre Jean de Villiers has warned his team-mates not to write off Australia in this year’s Tri-Nations competition.

De Villiers believes the Wallabies are more than capable of beating the All Blacks in Sydney on Saturday as both sides look for their first win in the tournament.

Although South Africa beat the Australians two weeks in a row before recording their bone-crunching victory over the All Blacks in Cape Town last weekend, De Villiers believes Eddie Jones’ men are good enough to come back and win the competition.

“It’s not easy to win away so you have to back Australia at home,” the Springbok centre said.

“New Zealand will come out strongly, so it’s a difficult one to call. For us, the best results will be two draws between the Wallabies and All Blacks.

“But if I have to pick a winner, I’d say Australia.”

De Villiers also dismissed any suggestion of the Boks having a psychological edge over the Australians after their two victories at home - one in the Mandela Challenge and one in the Tri-Nations opener.

The Boks leave for their away leg today.