Rassie Erasmus’ brave call rewarded as second-string Springboks maul their way to dominant victory over Wallabies

The Springboks once again proved to be far too strong for the Wallabies as they sealed a comfortable 30-12 bonus-point triumph in Perth.

Like at Eden Park earlier, conditions were atrocious and it certainly had an impact on the tempo of the contest, but it ultimately did not play a part in the end result.

Despite an improved display from the Wallabies, especially in the first half, the visitors eventually got on top and claimed a second Rugby Championship triumph in 2024.

Australia’s Noah Lolesio kicked an early penalty to give the hosts a 3-0 lead before the world champions responded through Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s boot.

After Aphelele Fassi’s unconverted try and another Feinberg-Mngomezulu penalty, the Springboks were 11-9 in front by the interval, despite two more Lolesio three-pointers.

Joe Schmidt’s side were in the match but they could not maintain their intensity and physicality, and South Africa scored three maul tries in the second period through Marco van Staden and Malcolm Marx, who went over twice, to seal the win.

After last week’s annihilation at the hands of the Boks, the Wallabies were given hope when Rassie Erasmus made 10 changes for the Perth encounter.

That almost inevitable lack of continuity was evident in the early stages as Erasmus’ men made some uncharacteristic mistakes, particularly off kick-offs and restarts, and conceded some needless penalties.

One such infringement enabled Lolesio to convert an early three-point attempt, which moved the Wallabies into a 3-0 lead, but Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Fassi responded for South Africa.

It was certainly not perfect from the visitors but this Boks squad are developing all the time and the only try of the first period was very well constructed.

Off a turnover, they quickly moved the ball and Fassi raced onto Makazole Mapimpi’s inch-perfect kick to cross the whitewash and move the Boks in front.

Although Lolesio’s second successful effort off the tee kept Australia in the contest, the Springboks had shown what they could do and took control via Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who moved them 11-6 in front.

That was briefly reduced to two points at the break via the boot of the Australian fly-half, but the four-time Rugby World Cup winners got back on the front foot at the start of the second period.

They earned a penalty and set up a maul five metres out from the opposition line, and the result was almost inevitable as Van Staden crossed the whitewash.

Lolesio did keep the Wallabies in contention with a fourth penalty, but another dominant drive, which ended in Marx touching down, effectively ended the match as a contest.

That double act was then repeated with the maul and Marx once again proving to be the Wallabies’ downfall as the visitors sealed a second successive Rugby Championship win in 2024.

The teams

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

Springboks:  15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels
Replacements:  16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Handré Pollard

Referee:  Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees:  Luke Pearce (England), Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
TMO:  Richard Kelly (New Zealand)