The Wallabies secured a famous 42-38 win over the Springboks in Perth on Sunday, reclaiming the Mandela Plate for the first time since 2022. The match was marked by controversy, with Italian referee Andrea Piardi using the fourth official's mobile phone to communicate with the television match official in the final quarter. The Wallabies were the better team for most of the match, but the Springboks launched a fierce rearguard, scoring 21 unanswered points in the final 10 minutes.
The Springboks came close to pulling off a stunning comeback, but ultimately fell short. They suffered their second loss of the season, with coach Rassie Erasmus attributing the defeat to his team's poor performance. Erasmus stated that the loss was not due to the long touring schedule, but rather because the Wallabies were better on the day. The Springboks' 42 points conceded is the most in the Erasmus era since 2018.
The Wallabies dominated the match when there was parity in numbers, outplaying the Springboks in almost every facet of the game. They won the aerial battle for contestable kicks, were strong in the set piece, and allowed the Springboks no dominance in that area until the late stages. Wallaby coach Les Kiss's selection of Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i on the wing for the first time in a Test proved justified, as he collected the hanging kick-off under the noses of the Bok forwards.
The breakdown was a tough contest, with both teams winning several penalties in that facet of the game. However, the Wallabies' impressive performance was highlighted by the try of Len Ikitau, who finished a multiphase move that started from a penalty. Ikitau scored his second try minutes later, which was sparked by a high kick launched by Ryan Lonergan.
The Springboks responded with a well-crafted try, which started from a ruck on halfway and involved a fine pass from Handre Pollard to Canan Moodie. The try was completed by wing Edwill van der Merwe. The Wallabies broke the 17-17 stalemate just before halftime, with flyhalf Ben Donaldson scoring in the corner from another multiphase move.
The Wallabies extended their lead in the second half, with Lonergan slotting an early penalty and then Wilson barging over to complete another multiphase attack. The Springboks' introduction of their powerful bench managed to wrestle back some momentum, but it was too little, too late. The Wallabies' Max Jorgensen scored a crucial try, which effectively sealed the win for Australia.
In the end, the Wallabies' superior performance over the 80 minutes earned them the win. The Springboks will rue some poor decisions and their inability to capitalize on their numerical advantages. Erasmus acknowledged that the loss was a valuable experience for his team, but the Wallabies' victory marked a significant upset in the Rugby Championship.
Key points
- The Wallabies secured their first win over the Springboks since 2022.
- The match was marked by controversy, with referee Andrea Piardi using the fourth official's mobile phone to communicate with the television match official.
- The Springboks' 42 points conceded is the most in the Rassie Erasmus era since 2018.
