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
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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:
FULL-TIME! Australia 12-30 South Africa
It’ll be Australia who finish on the attack as they find the overlap and gain some ground courtesy of Koroibete. He’s brought down soon enough though, and the world champions kick out for a 30-12 win in Perth!
Australia 12-30 South Africa, 79 mins
Both sides are attempting to get forward as the match approaches the final whistle, but they’re both suffering under ridiculous conditions. South Africa win the scrum near halfway and they opt to put it through the hands, with Fassi being the one tackled before the knock on from Etzebeth.
Australia 12-30 South Africa, 76 mins
The Springboks are really dominating now, gaining about 30 metres with their latest foray forward. It almost ends brilliantly too, as the cross-field kick finds Pieter-Steoh du Toit alone on the wing!
He’s brought down by Koroibete metres from the line, and it’s knocked forward as he tries to pop it up!
TRY! Australia 12-30 South Africa, 73 mins
TRY!
Uru offloads brilliantly to keep the Aussie attack alive, but it’s in vain as the Wallabies are penalised for holding on.
The Wallabies concede three penalties in a matter of minutes and Seru Uru is sent to the sin bin. South Africa will have a lineout about three metres from the Aussie line.
Unsurprisingly they form another maul – and it comes good again! Some players split off but marx is there again to cross for his second try! Pollard converts and that should be that.
Australia 12-23 South Africa, 69 mins
The Wallabies are very lucky as they lose it from the lineout but it’s knocked on as the Springboks collect.
There’ll be an uncontested scrum about five metres from the line – but Australia can’t take advantage as they knock it forward, and South Africa clear for the lineout!
Australia 12-23 South Africa, 67 mins
The Wallabies look to hit back quickly as they win the penalty as there was a hold on the neck. Lolesio punts out to touch around 15m out.
Hooper collects the lineout, and the maul wins a penalty advantage as they reach within about six metres of the line. The Aussies try and ship it wide, but they don’t have the overlap and we come back to the penalty.
Lolesio kicks for the lineout once more.
TRY! Australia 12-23 South Africa, 65 mins
TRY! And it’s very similar to the last one for the Springboks.
The lineout happens almost bang on the 5m line, and it’s collected by Nortje. The Springboks start the maul and they power to the line, before Marx goes over for five.
Pollard can’t convert, so it stays at 23-12.
Australia 12-18 South Africa, 62 mins
Lolesio knocks it forward while attempting to catch a box kick, and it’ll be a Springboks scrum midway into the Aussie half.
The Springboks win a penalty advantage that ends with their kick after the forwards fail to capitalise with the pick-and-go’s. They kick for the lineout, then ship it across, but the grubber under the posts is collected by Tate McDermott.
Australia 12-18 South Africa, 58 mins
The rain continues to pour in Perth. It’s a downpour now, as the Wallabies bring on Seru Uru for Josh Nasser.
More kicks coming as the two sides look to catch each other out, and it’s brilliant from Lolesio to take it right next to the line and ship it wide. A brilliant cross-field kick suddenly finds Jorgensen in plenty of space; he charges to the Springboks 22 but eventually loses it in the kick. Plenty of ground gained by the Wallabies there.
The Wallabies bring on Hooper for Blyth, while South Africa bring in Smith for Louw.
Australia 12-18 South Africa, 54 mins
Another change for South Africa as Thomas du Toit is replaced by Vincent Koch.
The two teams exchange kicks and South Africa have possession, eventually winning a penalty.
Another strong Springbok maul gains about 15m, before Williams picks and runs. Du Toit does the same, before Ruan Nortje is penalised on the try line for using his hands in the ruck!
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