■ ROBBIE DEANS v PETER de VILLIERS

The most praised coach in the world versus the most vilified. One of the best coaches in the world versus, well, we don't really know but it doesn't look too good so far.

Deans has been canny and is starting all his fresh legs. He has nothing to lose, one win in South Africa is enough and it all hinges on Brisbane. De Villiers said during the week, "We don't have control over whether we win or lose and I treat winning or losing as the same."

Doesn't work for me, but maybe I am missing something.

■ STIRLING MORTLOCK v VICTOR MATFIELD   Both world-class players and both will play well for their teams. Matfield will dominate the lineout against inexperienced opposition (he has got to have a big one soon) and Mortlock will do what he always does - make metres, smash people in tackles and time his pass when it really matters.

Captaincy will be the difference. Mortlock has been great and Matfield troubled. The pressure of captaincy seems to have distracted him. If he can forget about it and just play, the Springboks will be better for it.

■ TIMANA TAHU v JEAN de VILLIERS

The only word Tahu needs to think about starts with "D". Defence is everything for him tonight.

Not because it is all he has to do but attack is natural for him, defence requires concentration and if he misses tackles or takes the wrong man, his confidence will suffer.

Mortlock and Giteau will talk him through it. If the Wallabies get good ball going forward Tahu could be a revelation. Jean de Villiers is class but has been buried in the morass of Springbok ineptitude.

■ SAM CORDINGLEY v FOURIE du PREEZ

Du Preez was widely regarded as the best half-back in the world at last year's Rugby World Cup but has been poor this year.

An athlete with a quick pass and a good kick, he needs a steady stream of good ball, which the Springbok forwards may well deliver this time around.

If he fires the way he can, it will take the pressure off a backline that is short on try-scoring options.

Cordingley is probably in for a tough night but will be tidy and will continue to make good decisions under pressure.