Speight eying rivalry with Bok mates
Speight formed a close bond with De Jongh and Hougaard when he toured with the Australian Sevens team to the Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro back in August. De Jongh and Hougaard were part of the South African Sevens squad at the games.
Speight told journalists at the team's base in Johannesburg on Tuesday that he caught up with Bok duo when the Springboks played the Wallabies in Brisbane last month (Australia won 23-17) and he is fired up at the prospect of lining up against the two Springboks.
"We kept in touch and we caught up again in Brisbane. Juan de Jongh and Francois Hougaard also benefited from the experience [Rio Olympics] and it would be a big clash if we go up against each other this weekend
"I think they staying around the corner, so we will catch up for a coffee or something on our day off or Friday," said Speight.
The Wallabies come into this clash against the Springboks on the back of a 36-20 victory over Argentina in Perth and even though Australia had very little possession during this clash, they still managed to outscore Los Pumas by five tries to one.
Speight added that his team will take confidence from the victory over Argentina into their match against the Springboks.
"We didn't have that much possession and to score five tries is still a good stat to have. Being able to build on that going into this weekend against a tough Springbok team will be a good challenge, but it's something that we are looking forward to doing," explained Speight.
Flyhalf Patrick Lambie and fullback Willie le Roux have re-joined the Bok squad ahead of Saturday's Test match and Speight believes that both returning players will add plenty of value to the Springboks' attacking game.
"They are quality players. Le Roux and Lambie are proven footballers and we know what they are capable of.
"They are dangerous from attack and broken field plays is where Le Roux excels a lot, so coming back they (Lambie and Le Roux) will be a boost for them and they will be keeping us on our toes as well," added Speight.
By Josh Isaacson
@isaacson_j
@rugby365com
