Australia build commanding lead
Australia secured an extraordinary 42-38 win against South Africa in Perth after scoring five tries against the back-to-back world champions. The Wallabies played vibrant attacking rugby and built a 25-point lead with 16 minutes remaining in the match.
South Africa made 13 changes following their victory over New Zealand in Baltimore, but fielded a starting XV with substantial experience, including 240 caps in the second row alone.
The sides traded early penalties before Springboks hooker Johan Grobbelaar scored the opening try from a powerful maul. Australia responded when centre Len Ikitau forced his way over from a metre out, and Ikitau added a second try shortly after following a fumbled high ball. South Africa quickly replied as Edwill van der Merwe scored in the corner following a break.
Before half-time, Australia reclaimed the lead after 14 phases of play concluded with fly-half Ben Donaldson scoring in the corner.
Second-half dominance and late yellow cards
South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus used all eight replacements early in the second half while his side trailed by 10 points. However, Australia maintained their control. Although captain Harry Wilson was initially denied a try for stepping in touch, he successfully burrowed over near the posts moments later. Wing Max Jorgensen then intercepted a fumbled ball to complete a length-of-the-pitch solo try, extending the score to 42-17.
A chaotic final stretch unfolded when Australia were reduced to 11 players through a sequence of four yellow cards across nine minutes. Wilson was sin-binned in the 68th minute, followed by Ryan Lonergan in the 71st minute during a sequence that led to a South African penalty try. Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i received a yellow card in the 73rd minute, leaving the hosts with 13 men. Replacement scrum-half Morne van den Berg subsequently scored to narrow the deficit.
A fourth yellow card was shown to Hunter Paisami for a dangerous tackle in the build-up to a disallowed interception try, leaving Australia with 11 players on the pitch. Ox Nche scored another try for South Africa to reduce the margin to four points, but time expired before the visitors could complete the comeback.
