Matfield desperate for a win

Matfield: 'We need to win this match for South Africa'

Springbok captain Victor Matfield said his side desperately wants to end their unsuccesful Tri-Nations campaign on a good note when they come up against Australia at Ellis Park on Saturday.

The Wallabies will be looking to win their first match on the Highveld in 45 years when they face South Africa in the second of their back-to-back Tests in the Republic

The Wallabies have not won in Johannesburg since 1963 and victory over the home side, to go with their 27-15 win in Durban a week ago, will see them go top of the competition points table.

The Springboks have lost all but one of their Tri-Nations fixtures - three of them on the trot - and as world champions, there's a lot of pride at stake.

Memories of being booed off the field last week will be the driving force behind what South Africa hope will be their best performance this season in their final Tri-Nations clash of 2008.

A win would restore some faith in the national team which has failed to live up to expectations as world champions in the Tri-Nations, and give South Africa's rugby faithful and the players hope ahead of the year-end tour.

Also on the line is South Africa's almost unbeatable reputation at the famous ground.

"We need to win this match for South Africa, for the coaching staff and all involved with the Springboks," said Matfield.

"One thing we don't want is to get together for the end of season tour (to Europe) and still be asking ourselves questions about where we are and what we're doing wrong.

"We want to convert our opportunities into points and improve our decision-making.

"We also need to regain our confidence," he added.

Coach Peter de Villiers is receiving plenty of criticism for his expansive style of rugby, but he was confident his players were close to properly executing the gameplan he wants them to play.

"I know what these guys are capable of and what they can do on the field," said the Bok coach.

"I hope and pray that that breakthrough happens this weekend.

"The guys must simply accept the responsibility that goes with the rugby we want to play, and that's making the right decisions and playing what is in front of them.

"The Peter de Villiers game plan is all about adding decision-making to structure and we are stuck at the moment at decision-making," he added.

"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.

"We don't have control over whether we win or lose and I treat winning or losing as the same.

"But we let the public down last week and we want them to feel part of a winning recipe."

De Villiers has made just two enforced changes to the side that lost in Durban last weekend.

Brian Mujati comes in at tighthead prop for the suspended CJ Van der Linde, while on the right wing Odwa Ndungane replaces JP Pietersen.

When Bryan Habana and Pietersen dropped out of the running for the match at Ellis Park because of hamstring injuries, De Villiers was forced to select two rookie wings in Jongi Nokwe and Ndungane on the left and right wing respectively.

The inexperienced duo will make up the triangle with full-back Conrad Jantjes.

"Yes, as a combination they are inexperienced and I realise the Aussies will have them in their sights," De Villiers said.

"But Jongi and Odwa are good players and I'm sure they'll be up to it. Weaknesses can change into strengths as easily as it can happen the other way round."

Australia still have a game to play after this weekend, against New Zealand, in Brisbane on September 13, making them favourites to win this year's competition.