Wallaby flank George Smith reinforced the importance of the breakdown in the modern game as Australia went through their paces ahead of their Tri-Nations clash with the Springboks.

Smith, regarded as one of the world's best openside flanks, agreed that the Springboks have been struggling at the breakdown, where their competition for the ball has not been up to standard.

The Springboks have suffered countless turnovers against them in this Tri-Nations series already, both in the Newlands Test match against Richie McCaw's All Blacks, and in Perth against the Australians.

"The breakdown is always a key component of the game. It's a place where you try and dominate, and the team that dominates, usually does well in the match," said Smith at an Aussie training session in Cape Town.

"The All Blacks played well in that area [against the Boks] and they also played well in that area against us last week.

"So we have to fix up that area after our last game.

"We had success [at the breakdown] against the Springboks in Perth, but it's a totally different game playing here in South Africa," he said.

The Aussie forward elaborated on the role of the modern openside flank, or fetcher, and had some interesting insights over the physical properties of such players.

"It's easier for a shorter player to attack the breakdown, but you can be annoying in many ways at the breakdown," revealed Smith, who has made a career out of competing fiercely for possession at the tackle point.

"The South Africans really have a world class back row. Schalk Burger is fantastic in his workrate, and making a nuisance of himself. I think that's what you want in a classic fetcher.

"We'll be trying to do the same this week."

Smith said that the Australians would have as good a chance as ever to change their fortunes around in South Africa this weekend. Australia historically have a woeful record in Test matches played in South Africa, having won only one of their last 14 matches in the Republic.

"We've prepared well and have had lots of rest leading up to this match, so I think we're ready," he said confidently.

"I think we played some extremely good rugby in that match [in Perth], but it's totally different coming here and playing in the humid weather of Durban.

"We expect a very tough match from a team that's definitely looking to bounce back from what they've done on the weekend.

"It's a hugely crucial game for us. The Tri-Nations is so tight at the moment.

"You've seen in the past that teams have won and lost against each other, but Australia hasn't lost against the Springboks yet this year. So hopefully that stands, and we play some good rugby this weekend."

The Aussie also praised New Zealand for their performance against the below-par Boks in Cape Town last weekend.

"I think it was a great game from New Zealand," Smith stated.

"To come over here and beat the Boks in Cape Town is a tough ask, and they did that well."

365