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:
Australia 6-11 South Africa, 25 mins
Another penalty conceded by Australia and Feinberg-Mngomezulu slots another three points.
Australia 6-8 South Africa, 24 mins
Australia hit back almost straight away as Lolesio threads a penalty through the posts.
The hosts are immediately under pressure from the restart though, desperately trying to keep hold of possession in their own 5m line before kicking for touch.
South Africa win a scrum around 5m from the posts, and Eben Etzebeth has come on.
TRY! Australia 3-8 South Africa, 17 mins
TRY! And what a try it is from the Springboks.
Australia are on the attack but they spill it in the tackle, and South Africa are immediately on the counter. They have the man free on the overlap as it’s shipped wide to Mapimpi, and he threads through a perfectly timed kick to the onrushing Aphelele Fassi. The bounce is perfect, he duly collects it, and he slides over for 5.
The conversion is missed so we stay at 8-3.
Australia 3-3 South Africa, 15 mins
South Africa win their first dangerous penalty as Josh Nasser is off his feet in the ruck. Feinberg-Mngomezulu duly slots the equaliser.
Australia 3-0 South Africa, 13 mins
A second golden chance for a try in as many minutes gets away from the Springboks.
The Wallabies try the cross-field kick but it lands right in the hands of Mapimpi in space. He looks nailed on for the try, but Tom Wright just does enough to get across and put the winger off, and he knocks it on about three metres from the line!
Australia 3-0 South Africa, 11 mins
A scrappy opening so far in Perth, with the rain clearly playing its part in a lot of spilled ball.
No worries for the Wallabies at the moment though, as they win another penalty after the Springboks collapse the scrum. From the lineout, the box kick is overhit and taken easily by Mapimpi.
The two sides exchange kicks before the Wallabies line is fractured and Cheslin Kolbe finds plenty of space. He thinks he’s shipped it wide safely, but the conditions play their part again and it’s knocked on!
Australia 3-0 South Africa, 6 mins
The Wallabies do brilliantly to win possession off a Springboks line-out, but all the good work is undone as Kellaway fumbles the clearing kick and concedes another line-out within 30 seconds.
South Africa have their first chance to get it through the hands of the back line, but the cross-field kick is overhit from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Australia 3-0 South Africa, 3 mins
Australia win the scrum from kick-off, and after a quick reset Australia take it and creep into the 22 before winning an early penalty right in front of the posts.
They opt to kick and Noah Lolesio slots the first points of the day.
KICK-OFF! Australia 0-0 South Africa
Today’s referee, New Zealand’s Paul Williams, gets us underway in Perth!
Australia v South Africa LIVE
Not great conditions in Perth, with plenty of rain falling as the two sides emerge from the tunnel.
How will this new-look Springboks side fare against Australia? We’ll find out just after the national anthems.
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