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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

Chris Wilson

Saturday 17 August 2024 13:27 BST

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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:

With just under 90 minutes until kick-off, here’s a reminder of how you can watch today’s match.

Australia v South Africa kicks off at 10.45am BST on Saturday, 17 August, and takes place at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia.

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Action, with coverage starting at 10.45am BST. Subscribers can also stream the match via Sky Go, or purchase a pass for NOW TV. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.

Is Australia v South Africa on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch

The second round of the Rugby Championship provides immediate rematches of the opening fixtures, with the Wallabies looking to bounce back from a bruising defeat

Chris Wilson17 August 2024 09:20

Line-ups

Australia XV: 1 Angus Bell, 2 Josh Nasser, 3 Allan Alaalatoa; 4 Angus Blyth, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto; 6 Rob Valetini, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 8 Harry Wilson; 9 Nic White, 10 Noah Lolesio; 11 Marika Koroibete, 12 Hunter Paisami, 13 Len Ikitau, 14 Andrew Kellaway; 15 Tom Wright.

Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 James Slipper, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Tom Hooper, 20 Seru Uru; 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Max Jorgensen.

South Africa XV: 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 3 Thomas du Toit; 4 Salmaan Moerat (C), 5 Ruan Nortje; 6 Marco van Staden, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Elrigh Louw; 9 Morne van den Berg, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu; 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Cheslin Kobe; 15 Aphelele Fassi.

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Kwagga Smith; 21 Grant Williams, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Handre Pollard.

Chris Wilson17 August 2024 09:12

Team news

Australia are boosted up front by the return of prop Angus Bell, while Angus Blyth and Josh Nasser are also brought in to the starting tight five. Marika Koroibete replaces the injured Filipo Daugunu on the wing. Versatile Reds forward Seru Uru and young gun Max Jorgensen await debuts from the bench.

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus raised eyebrows when he announced that he had made 10 changes to the side that beat the Wallabies 33-7 in Brisbane in their tournament opener. He later defended the decision, adding that “it is a bit of a slap in the face for the guys playing this weekend if we think that they are not as good as the guys that played last weekend”.

The Springboks have changed all of their forwards bar Pieter-Steph du Toit and Elrigh Louw, while only Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Jesse Kriel and Cheslin Kolbe remain out of the backs.

Chris Wilson17 August 2024 09:05

Australia v South Africa preview

The Wallabies look to immediately recover from what was a hugely disappointing loss last week in Brisbane. They only managed to score when South Africa had a man in the sin bin, while they conceded five tries to the world champions.

Joe Schmidt knows he has a much-changed, youthful side with a lot to learn, and despite Australia’s warm-up wins against Wales and Georgia, the Springboks have proven to be an entirely different beast. They will be determined to make up for what was an embarrassing loss, and they may well have the chance to, as South Africa have made 10 changes to last week’s side.

Coach Rassie Erasmus has dismissed talk of the changes being disrespectful, claiming he has faith in the quality of his 15 to get the job done. The odds are still in South Africa’s favour, so can the Wallabies spring a surprise in Perth?

The Springboks will hope not, as New Zealand’s loss to Argentina last week puts them in a commanding position if they can secure the back-to-back wins Down Under.

Chris Wilson17 August 2024 08:55