Springboks crash to defeat against Wallabies in Perth

An out-of-form Springboks side crashed to defeat against the Wallabies in their one-off Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday.

A vastly improved Australian side won 42-38 after leading 24-17 at half-time as Rassie Erasmus’ bold 13 changes to the starting XV proved costly.

It also proved to be a disastrous first outing as captain for Andre Esterhuizen.

The Wallabies’ previous biggest winning margin in Perth was just seven points.

The Springboks were comprehensively outplayed for 60-plus minutes and only showed signs of life when the Wallabies were reduced to 11 men thanks to an incredible four yellow cards in the final 11 minutes.

Tries aplenty

Australia scored six tries through centre Len Ikitau (2), flyhalf Ben Donaldson, No 8 Harry Wilson and wing Max Jorgensen. Scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan added three penalties and four conversions.

The Springboks replied with tries by hooker Johan Grobbelaar, wing Edwill van der Merwe, scrumhalf Morne van den Berg, prop Ox Nche and a penalty try. Flyhalf Handre Pollard added two conversions and a penalty, while Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu also chipped in with two conversions.

South Africa lost two full World Rugby ranking points, but did hang onto their No 1 ranking. Meanwhile, Australia picked up two points and moved to sixth in the standings.

The Springboks will next be in action against Italy in Turin in the Nations Championship on 7 November.

The Wallabies’ next assignments will be back-to-back Bledisloe Cup Tests against the All Blacks in Auckland and Sydney on 10 and 17 October, respectively.

Teams

Australia

15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Angus Bell

Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Aidan Ross, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Lachlan Shaw, 20 Tom Hooper, 21 Carlo Tizzano, 22 Tate McDermott, 23 Harry Potter

South Africa

15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (captain), 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Marco van Staden, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Jasper Wiese, 21 Morne van den Berg, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Quan Horn

Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), James Doleman (New Zealand)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)