South Africa prop Ox Nche said that the Springboks 'went off script' in the second half of Springboks' 22-38 Rugby Championship defeat to Australia on Saturday, while coach Rassie Erasmus was less diplomatic.

After 18 minutes of an unforgettable opening instalment to this year’s Rugby Championship, those wishing to stick the knife into Australian rugby – while also denigrating the British and Irish Lions’ recent achievement – will have been feeling pretty smug;

"To read that overall they achieved 68% in the lineout, missed 26 tackles for an 80% return and lost the post-contact metre battle by some 70 odd metres, with 325m playing 395m from the Wallabies, will ring alarm bells in Rassie Erasmus’s coaching team.

The Wallabies will begin their Rugby Championship campaign against the world champion Springboks in Johannesburg. The Australians are fresh off a thrilling 2-1 series defeat to the British & Irish Lions that saw Joe Schmidt's team claim the final Test in Sydney.

Some matches follow the most predictable script. Others flip it in spectacular style. Australia’s exploits at Ellis Park on Saturday belong to the latter category.

"The task at hand just looks to be too great as they go up against a well-oiled Springboks machine." #RSAvAUS #RugbyChampionship

Questions have been asked regarding ticket sales for the upcoming weekend's Springboks vs Wallabies clash in Cape Town.