Legendary lock Victor Matfield wants to end a 100-cap curse when struggling South Africa tackle Australia at Loftus Versfeld here Saturday in the Tri-Nations championship.
The other Springbok centurions, retired Percy Montgomery and current captain and hooker John Smit, had the special day spoilt by home losses to New Zealand and the line-out maestro hopes a change of rival can bring a change of luck.
A Test success cannot come too soon for the green and gold, who prop up the table with a meagre one bonus point after three losses to the All Blacks and one to the Wallabies.
New Zealand clinched the southern hemisphere title last weekend with a 29-22 Johannesburg triumph after two late tries turned a game going the Boks way when they led by eight points 14 minutes from full-time.
Another reverse and under-fire coach Peter de Villiers will match the record of predecessor Jake White, who stopped a five-game losing streak with a one-point win over the All Blacks that saved his job.
That win came at Rustenburg in 2006 and one year later the Springboks were raising the Rugby World Cup trophy at Stade de France after defeating reigning champions England 15-6 in an all-penalty goal affair.
Matfield was voted man of the match that night in the French capital and many other survivors of the world-conquering team will be on show at Loftus when dusk sets over the tree-lined Highveld city.
So what has gone wrong with a Bok team that defeated the All Blacks thrice and the Wallabies twice last year? Some critics blame fatigue, others wrong team choices while coach Peter de Villiers admits he does not know.
"There is definitely something wrong with Victor. I have to speak to him," stressed De Villiers during the Test countdown. "The same with Pierre (Spies). He is not right."
Hopelessly off-form Spies was lucky to retain his No 8 jersey after another lacklustre showing last Saturday with De Villiers confining changes to two in the backline.
France-based fullback Francois Steyn replaces Gio Aplon and Jaque Fourie returns at outside centre after suspension in place of Juan de Jongh with the coach admitting both dropped players were unlucky to lose out.
The breakdown has been a problem for South Africa this year with Heinrich Brussouw a long-term injury absentee and it was surprising that no space could be found for 'fetcher' Francois Louw even among the replacements.
Zimbabwe-born Wallaby 'scavenger' David Pocock had a field day against the Boks in a Brisbane game the visitors took no fond memories from after being outplayed every bit as comprehensively as the 30-13 scoreline suggests.
De Villiers is acutely aware of the threat posed by the Rocky Elsom-led Australians as they seek a victory on the Highveld for the first time since 1963.
"The Wallabies bring a different mindset to the game than the All Blacks as they do not have the same physical approach. New Zealand look to move the ball wide but Australia enjoy getting the likes of Elsom involved on the inside."
Wallaby coach Robbie Deans, also finding the going tough with only a 54 percent success rate during three years in charge, made one change after a 20-10 loss in New Zealand with fly-half Quade Cooper recalled.
Utility back Matt Giteau goes back to inside centre with Anthony Faingaa - twin brother of first-choice hooker Saia - dropping down to a bench showing three alterations from Christchurch.
The forward exchanges will be crucial as always and if Australia achieve parity they appear more imaginative behind the scrum which could spell trouble for the Boks and the Matfield dream of 100-cap glory.
South Africa and Australia meet again in central city Bloemfontein on September 4 and the nine-match championship reaches a climax the following weekend in Sydney with all-conquering New Zealand the visitors.
Copyright 2010 AFP Global Edition
