Australia held off a dramatic late comeback from South Africa to defeat the world champions 42-38 in a chaotic Rugby Championship Test in Perth on Sunday.
The Wallabies appeared to have the match under control after opening a 42-17 lead in the second half, with Harry Wilson and Max Jorgensen among the players who scored tries as Australia produced an attacking display against the world’s top-ranked side.
The contest then descended into an extraordinary finish. Australia lost four players to yellow cards, leaving the Wallabies with only 11 players on the field as South Africa mounted a powerful comeback.
The Springboks scored three late tries, including a final-minute effort from Ox Nche, but Australia held on through a series of desperate defensive plays to secure a memorable victory.
The result extends Les Kiss’s unbeaten start as Australia coach and gives the Wallabies a major boost less than a year before the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
South Africa had made extensive changes to its starting team, with 13 alterations from the side that defeated New Zealand in Baltimore earlier this month. Coach Rassie Erasmus acknowledged that his team had contributed to its own problems but said Australia deserved the result.
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