Mature defence is what is required for the Springboks to clinch a rare win in Australia on Saturday.

South Africa has only once tasted victory in Australia in their last eight visits, an emphatic 38-12 win at the Suncorp Stadium during the 2013 Rugby Championship. Three of their last four trips to Perth have ended in defeat.

The trend will be bucked this week if the Boks evade the trap that almost cost the All Blacks dearly in Dunedin and back a plan based on scoring from defence.

The Wallabies have been bedazzled by the same shimmering mirage that duped the Stormers in 2013 and the Boks last year – they’re committed to marketing imperatives that value tries over trophies.

On the surface, the pursuit of all-inclusive attacking rugby seems to be a proactive, progressive endeavour, but in reality it depends heavily on rival teams engaging in the same exhibition tactics to spark a festival of exciting rugby.

That’s exactly what happened in New Zealand in Round 2 where the world champions ignored everything they know about how Tests are won and engaged in a shootout with the Wallabies.

In the final moments, a defensive lapse from Kurtley Beale allowed them to rescue victory from the jaws of defeat, but the All Blacks only narrowly escaped. Though it made for a thrilling spectacle, if Beauden Barrett’s last-gasp try hadn’t materialised, coach Steve Hansen would have been embarrassed by a performance that included 60 carries more, and 60 fewer tackles, than the Wallabies.

It was the same choice of tactics in the second half of the previous week’s clash in Sydney that saw New Zealand let Australia back into the contest after streaking to a 40-6 lead. The hosts won the second stanza by a margin of 28-14.

This year, there’s no reason to worry that the Boks may not have identified the threat, or the opportunity, presented by Australia’s tactical indulgence.

South Africa’s recovery from the worst season in team history is the result of a return to fundamentals. Even though the execution has often left a lot to be desired, the Boks have a good plan based on sound rugby principles.

Those principles seem to have escaped the Wallabies who show no signs of slowing down on attack despite committing 52 handling errors, and conceding 19 turnovers, during the first two rounds.

Heading into Round 3, no team has kicked less than Australia (21 kicks) while no team has kicked more than South Africa (47).

If the Boks stick to their kicking maps, and the likes of Malcolm Marx continue to convert tackles into turnovers at an unprecedented rate, the Wallabies will commit handling errors trying to run their way out of poor field position, and the tourists will score on the break.

There is no need for South Africa to be creative against Australia. The hosts’ wide-front attack will create plenty of scoring opportunities for the Boks, if they’re patient and persistent on defence.