Australia arrived in Europe following a southern hemisphere Rugby Championship where they lost five of six games, with former Ireland coach Schmidt having succeeded Eddie Jones after a 2023 World Cup where the two-time champions crashed out in the pool phase.
Those results all led to forecasts of a Lions whitewash during next year's three-Test series in Australia.
The Wallabies, however, launched their November campaign with a last-gasp 42-27 win over England and followed that up with a 52-20 rout of a struggling Wales.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 26, 2024-Ausgabe von The Citizen.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 26, 2024-Ausgabe von The Citizen.
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Rassie snub is a disgrace
The snubbing of Springbok boss Rassie Erasmus for Coach of the Year at the World Rugby Awards smacks of clear bias and should embarrass World Rugby.
BUCS' NEXT MISSION
RIVEIRO: CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PRESENTS A VASTLY DIFFERENT CHALLENGE
Proteas must cash in on home soil
While there seems to be a growing trend of away teams winning Test series on the international circuit, spin bowler Keshav Maharaj says South Africa are confident of stretching their fine run of form on home soil when they face Sri Lanka in the first of two Tests, starting in Durban tomorrow.
'Remarkable' road for Pant
Two years after Rishabh Pant (above) feared his cricket career was over in a serious car crash, the wicketkeeper has become the most expensive player in Indian Premier League history.
Bumrah warns against complacency
Jasprit Bumrah warned his India side against complacency after their emphatic victory over Australia yesterday in Perth in the first of five Tests.
Proteas need to tighten up game
DE KLERK: YOUNG BOWLING ATTACK HAS A LOT TO LEARN
Schmidt not losing sleep
Edinburgh - Joe Schmidt (above) remained upbeat about Australia's chances against the British and Irish Lions despite Scotland dashing the Wallabies' hopes of a Grand Slam with a 27-13 win at Murrayfield on Sunday.
Bigger pressure ahead for Boks
SUCCESS: EXPECTATIONS HIGHER TO SUSTAIN FORM
New season brings hope for Blitzboks
The Springbok Sevens team left Cape Town for Dubai yesterday with a firm belief in their objectives for the new season and the knowledge that teamwork and work ethic will be non-negotiable.
Pep admits City looking 'fragile'
Pep Guardiola (above) said he expected a slip in Manchester City's standards sooner or later but even he has been shocked by the English champions' implosion in a five-game losing streak.
