Australia vs South Africa LIVE: Rugby Championship result and final score as Wallabies beat Springboks
The Wallabies and Springboks met in Adelaide looking to bounce back from defeats last time out
Australia bounced back from a humiliating loss in their last outing to beat world champions South Africa 25-17 at Adelaide Oval on Saturday to move to the top of the Rugby Championship standings.
Flanker Fraser McReight scored two tries and Man of the Match Marika Koroibete also crossed, with Noah Lolesio adding 10 points from the kicking tee in an assured performance at flyhalf.
The Springboks, looking for a first win over the Wallabies in Australia since 2013, besieged the home try line for lengthy periods, but Handre Pollard’s penalty was their only reward until Kwagga Smith scored two tries in the last five minutes.
Argentina, who topped the standings after thrashing Australia 48-17 in San Juan two weeks ago, take on the All Blacks in Christchurch in the second match of the round later on Saturday.
Australia 10-0 South Africa, 12 minutes
A free kick to Australia and Nic White taps and goes, thumping a long kick down the vacant centre of the pitch. An awkward bounce has Marika Koroibete rather interested on the chase, but Damian de Allende gets back into position, sitting down White with a bump to ensure he can then boot his own clearing kick up field.
Australia 10-0 South Africa, 11 minutes
Another bright bit of play from Marika Koroibete, retreating swiftly to snare an attempted 50:22 and kick for touch.
South Africa should be able to launch an attack, though, from Australia’s ten-metre line...but not from an off-line throw! Not straight from Joseph Dweba, who has a growing patch of red on the top of his shirt and will require some attention.
It appears to be a cut just above Dweba’s left eye - he’ll trot off for a quick stitching as Malcolm Marx makes an early, temporary entrance.
Australia 10-0 South Africa, 10 minutes
A lineout move designed to get Rob Valetini on the charge around the corner doesn’t quite click, the big number eight doing well to scoop off his shoelaces after Fraser McReight’s toss had hit the floor. Better defence from South Africa, though, holding up the forward carriers. Duane Vermeulen gets his enormous biceps around the ball and shears it free - the Springboks clear.
Australia 10-0 South Africa, 8 minutes
Marika Koroibete is charged up - he gives Duane Vermeulen a mighty wallop as he hares after a well-weighted box kick from Nic White, and is soon back on his feet contesting the ruck. Another penalty to Australia and back into the South African 22.
PENALTY! AUSTRALIA 10-0 South Africa (Noah Lolesio penalty, 7 minutes)
Another simple kick for Lolesio to further reward this promising start from Australia.
Australia 7-0 South Africa, 6 minutes
Eek! A nervous look at the referee from Lood de Jager as he bounces off Hunter Paisami, the centre somehow staying on his feet with what looks a high shot.
Yep, a penalty, but the officials are satisfied it requiers no further sanction. James Slipper points at the sticks and will give Noah Lolesio a chance to extend the lead from just right of centre.
Australia 7-0 South Africa, 4 minutes
Australia are right on it. Len Ikitau slithers through a hole to grant a simpler clearance from just outside the 22, and as South Africa look to play to the right a grubber from Damian Willemse is blocked back into their own territory, with Marika Koroibete charging through to make a firm hit on Warrick Gelant and win Australia the ball.
South Africa spread well, and a poke in behind is grounded by Handre Pollard. Goalline drop out.
TRY! AUSTRALIA 7-0 South Africa (Fraser McReight try, 2 minutes)
And Fraser McReight crashes over! Australia said they wanted a fast start and they could have hardly begun any better, White hitting his runners superbly and not allowing the South African defence to reset.
Allan Alaalatoa takes at the line and rather niftily shifts on, drawing two and opening a half-hole for a burrowing McReight to put Australia ahead inside a minute and a half. Noah Lolesio knocks through the extra two - what a start for the hosts!
Australia 0-0 South Africa, 1 minute
Lovely start from Australia. A deft dumy from Tom Wrigh allows him to get his arms free and send Rob Valetini cantering on up the right touchline, and the pressure builds as Nic White provides sharp service back infield...
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