Australia v South Africa LIVE: Result and reaction as Springboks put in dominant second half display
The Wallabies were unable to bounce back from their opening day defeat as the world champions produced a dominant second half to win 30-12
World champions South Africa beat Australia 30-12 in Perth on Saturday morning as they returned to the top of the Rugby Championship.
The Wallabies were looking to avenge a disappointing 33-7 defeat to the Springboks in their openeing game last week, and South Africa had made 10 changes to the side that blew Australia away.
And a close first half ended with just two points in it as South Africa went into the break at 11-9, with Aphelele Fassi’s brilliant try the highlight, though the Wallabies were unlucky not to have had the lead after Noah Lolesio narrowly missed a penalty on half-time.
But the second half was an altogether different affair in wet conditions in Perth, as the South Africa pack took hold of the match and converted three mauls into three tries.
It finished 30-12 to the world champions as they continue their hunt for a first Rugby Championship title since 2019, ahead of a trip to New Zealand on 31 August.
Follow all of the live updates and reaction to the clash in Perth below:
Australia 12-18 South Africa, 50 mins
For the Wallabies, Max Jorgensen has replaced Paisami, and the 19-year-old makes his debut. James Slipper also leaves the pitch, but for an HIA. He had come on for Allan Alaalatoa, and Billy Pollard replaces him.
South Africa replace scrum-half Morne van den Berg with Grant Williams.
Slipper comes back after a long break in play there, and it ends with an Aussie scrum – they win it, and a few phases end when White puts a grubber out for a lineout.
Australia 12-18 South Africa, 46 mins
A couple of changes for South Africa as Ox Nche and Malcolm Marx come on for Johan Grobbelaar and Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
The Wallabies go on the attack and despite it being a little lacking in invention, it wins a penalty 40m out. Lolesio steps up and it looks good – it bounces off the inside of the right-hand post for three points!
Australia 9-18 South Africa, 43 mins
TRY! South Africa extend the lead.
Lolesio is penalised for holding on and the Springboks knock it out for a lineout on the 5m line. They drive the maul forward, quickly gaining ground, before Marco van Staden sneaks through to touch down.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu sinks the conversion and South Africa take all seven points.
KICK-OFF! Australia 9-11 South Africa
Back underway in Perth!
The second half begins with the Springboks on the attack.
HALF-TIME! Australia 9-11 South Africa
Will the second half be as close an affair as the first, or will South Africa break away and score the points they’ve been threatening to?
We’ll find out soon.
HALF-TIME! Australia 9-11 South Africa
It’s been a tight contest in Perth with the conditions playing a large part in a sometimes scrappy game.
The Wallabies will be happy that they’re in the match at the break, and even slightly disappointed that they aren’t leading now.
South Africa had the best of the scoring opportunities, but the Wallabies have been equally as disciplined as their opponents in the ruck and scrum.
HALF-TIME! Australia 9-11 South Africa
Australia win the 50/22 after they disguise their run from the scrum and get some joy down the opposite side.
They keep possession and run through six phases before the up-and-under, but it’s collected by the ‘Boks and Australia cash in a penalty advantage that Wilson won on the ground.
This will be the last play of the first half as Lolesio lines up another kick, and we’re into the red.
30m away as the siren goes – and he drags it wide! Hard to see how he did that after a much more difficult kick earlier. The Wallabies should have the lead at the break, but they head down the tunnel trailing 9-11.
Australia 9-11 South Africa, 36 mins
Lolesio and Feinberg-Mngomezulu exchange kicks, and the former looks like he’s won a penalty after he’s deliberately impeded when trying to collect his own chipped kick.
He does win the penalty, and he chooses to kick from around 45m. It’s a favourable angle though – and it’s good! It just about has the legs, creeping over the horizontal bar for 9-11.
Australia 6-11 South Africa, 33 mins
South Africa go through the phases as they look for more points, but their possession ends with a sloppy over-the-top kick that is picked up and cleared by Hunter Paisami. From the lineout, South Africa are penalised for the throw not being straight, and the Wallabies take a scrum, which they win a free-kick from.
Australia 6-11 South Africa, 28 mins
Australia get away with one once again.
They’re on the advance towards the Springboks’ 22 before Kolbe intercepts the pass from Nic White. He’s isolated and he has a lot to do, and is eventually taken down by Tom Wright. The advancing South Africa pack then knock it on as they try to reach the ruck, and Australia have a scrum.
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