The South African Rugby Union came out in full support of coach Peter de Villiers this week despite the Springboks losing their fourth game of the Tri-Nations, but the public didn't as they booed the coach and team off the field at Durban.
South Africa play Australia again at Ellis Park in Johannesburg today in what will be their final Tri-Nations encounter, for the Wallabies though, victory will see them leapfrog New Zealand at the top of the table and set-up a tournament decider against the All Blacks in Brisbane on September 13.
Australia under Robbie Deans have had a magical year losing only once to New Zealand thus far. They are in second position on the Tri-Nations table with 13 points, one behind the All Blacks, but have a game in hand.
South Africa have five points and it will be the third consecutive year that they will have ended the tournament rock-bottom and the eighth time in the past 10 years. Australia have their fate in their hands today knowing full well a victory against a beleaguered Springbok side will put them in pole position to capture their first Tri-Nations crown since 2001. To do it though they will need to triumph at a venue they have not won at since 1963.
Wallabies coach Deans made five changes to his line-up for today's match with fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper, lock Hugh McMeniman, flanker Phil Waugh, hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau and centre Timana Tahu all set for a start at Ellis Park.
Australia had to to do without key line-out man Dan Vickerman and centre Berrick Barnes, who both suffered shoulder injuries in the Wallabies 27-15 win at Durban last weekend.
Rocky Elsom, however, had a one-match ban for foul play overturned on appeal and is set to play.
"It's because of the respect we have for them [the Springboks], and the enormity of the challenge we have in front of us trying to win back-to-back South African Test matches, and in Johannesburg for the first time in so long, that we feel we need to bring in some fresh legs," said Deans.
"Last weekend took a lot out of our guys as it did some of theirs. We will need the impetus that the fresh legs we've included will bring."
Meanwhile, Springbok coach Peter de Villiers named a relatively unchanged team for the match making just two forced changes. Odwa Ndungane returns on the right wing for the injured JP Pietersen, while Zimbabwean-born tighthead Brian Mujati comes in for suspended prop CJ van der Linde.
De Villiers also revealed he will stick to his expansive game plan, which was heavily criticised by former Rugby coaches mid-week for its lack of discipline.
"The Peter de Villiers game plan is all about adding decision making to structure and we are stuck at the moment at decision making," said De VIlliers.
"But I back the players and I want them to keep going out and playing what's in front of them. The win will come because we have very good players."
Should Australia score four tries and earn a bonus point today, it would mean the All Blacks will need to win by more than seven points in two weeks time.
With the way the Wallabies are playing this year under Deans, very few can deny they are most deserving for both today's match and the Tri-Nations title.