Cape Town is a mountain for Genia
Will Genia has highlighted the enormity of the Wallabies' Newlands assignment, warning that South Africa will be at the height of their physical and mental powers this weekend.
A win over the Springboks in Cape Town would stand as the biggest Test win of Ewen McKenzie's tenure, but Genia says Australia will face the same amount of pressure that they felt at Eden Park a month ago when they were massacred (51-20) by the All Blacks.
The recalled scrumhalf expects the Boks to be a completely different beast to that which faltered (23-24) in Perth three weeks ago.
The Wallabies have not won at Newlands since 1992 – losing their past seven Tests there – and were never in the hunt when out-muscled 28-8 in the corresponding Cape Town clash last year.
Genia, back from ankle surgery and on track for a spot on the bench, says they must rise to the occasion as much as the home side will.
"The boys can take confidence in knowing they beat them in Australia and can take it to them," the 55-Test scrumhalf said.
"But it's going to be hard.
"You look at the South African side that turned up against the All Blacks in Wellington, that was a completely different team in terms of their approach and their mentality to the one that played the Wallabies in Perth.
"And they grow an extra leg when they go back home so it's going to be tough.
"Playing in Cape Town against the Springboks is as big as playing the All Blacks in New Zealand."
Genia's teammate, Israel Folau had similar sentiments to what it is like to face the Springboks at Newlands.
"When you get the chance to play in front of your home fans it gets you geared up for the game," Folau added.
"The history speaks for itself, it is pretty tough to come over here and to play at Newlands, we already know that.
"The boys are definitely up for the challenge, we are very excited for it."
Australia, who arrived in Cape Town on Monday after 18 hours in transit, last won in the Republic in 2011 – with a gritty low-scoring 14-9 victory in Durban and will need the same tenacity and resolve if they are to succeed again.
By AAP & Darryn Pollock
