Springboks favourites going into opener

DEFENDING champions South Africa go into this afternoon’s Tri-Nations opener against Australia at Loftus in Pretoria as favourites to get their campaign off to a winning start.

In his first season in charge of the Springboks, coach Jake White last year captured the southern hemisphere competition title with a young and exuberant side that has only improved this year.

Having beaten the Australians in the second leg of the Mandela Challenge at Ellis Park last Saturday, the Boks have the psychological advantage going into this clash.