Australia survives late Springboks surge
Australia secured a remarkable 42-38 victory over South Africa in Perth on Sunday, overcoming a late collapse that left them with only 11 players on the field. The Wallabies had built a commanding 42-17 lead by the 70th minute, but captain Harry Wilson's sin-binning for a high tackle opened the door for a dramatic Springboks comeback. South Africa capitalized on a five-meter scrum to score a penalty try, and further yellow cards to Ryan Lonergan, Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i, and Hunter Paisami reduced Australia to 11 men by the 76th minute. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Wallabies' defense held firm, limiting South Africa to a single late try by prop Ox Nché in the 80th minute. The match, which featured four yellow cards and a lengthy stoppage due to communication issues among officials, stretched the final 20 minutes to nearly 35 minutes of play.[S1]
The Springboks, who made 13 changes to their starting lineup after their grueling series win over New Zealand two weeks ago, trailed 24-17 at halftime. Even with their entire eight-man bench introduced in the 50th minute, they struggled to break through until the 71st. Australia's win extends their unbeaten streak to six tests, their longest since 2017, and marks the first time since that year that South Africa has conceded at least 42 points. The Wallabies' 42 points were their most against the Springboks in 20 years.[S1]
How the Wallabies built their lead
In a penalty-heavy opening, Handré Pollard and Ryan Lonergan traded early goalkicks before a Springboks lineout drive ended with hooker Johan Grobbelaar scoring for a 10-3 lead. Australia's backs initially struggled to connect, but center Len Ikitau scored twice in two minutes—first from an offload by Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, then after an aerial contest won by Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i. South Africa responded immediately, with Pollard's pass to Canan Moodie setting up Edwill van der Merwe's seventh try in eight tests. Australia then showcased their own backline, as Tom Wright's kick found Max Jorgensen, and quick hands sent flyhalf Ben Donaldson over untouched for a 24-17 halftime lead—their first against South Africa since 2022.[S1]
Two Lonergan penalties stretched the lead to 30-17, though Ikitau limped off. From a tap penalty, Wilson scored by reaching over a ruck, and Lonergan's sixth consecutive goalkick made it 37-17. Lonergan finally missed a conversion after Jorgensen scooped up a dropped catch by Moodie 60 meters out, but Australia had already reached 42 points. The 25-point gap began to unravel with Wilson's yellow card, followed by Lonergan's sin-binning for interfering with South Africa's pushover attempt that also yielded a penalty try. Van der Merwe nearly scored a second try but knocked on Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu's kickpass, and Sua'ali'i was sin-binned for offside. Another pushover try for Morné van den Berg brought South Africa to 42-31 with six minutes left.[S1]
Final minutes and aftermath
With four minutes remaining, Tom Wright appeared to seal the win with an intercept try, but it was disallowed after Hunter Paisami high-tackled Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and was yellow-carded. The Springboks pressed desperately, with Lood de Jager held up before Ox Nché crashed over, leaving only 20 seconds of regulation time. Wilson and Lonergan returned from the sin-bin to bring Australia back to 13 men and pin South Africa back one final time. The victory, described by Wilson as a crazy last 10 minutes, saw Australia execute their game plan for the first 70 minutes exactly as intended.[S1]
