Four men down - but Australia still beat South Africa

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountHomeNewsSportEarthReelWorklifeTravelCultureFutureMusicTVWeatherSoundsMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportEarthReelWorklifeTravelCultureFutureMusicTVWeatherSoundsClose menu BBC SportMenuHomeFootballCricketFormula 1Rugby UTennisGolfCyclingAthleticsMoreA-Z SportsAmerican FootballAthleticsBasketballBoxingCricketCyclingDartsDisability SportFootballFormula 1Gaelic GamesGolfGymnasticsHorse RacingMixed Martial ArtsMotorsportNetballRugby LeagueRugby UnionSnookerSwimmingTennisFull Sports A-ZMore from SportEnglandScotlandWalesNorthern IrelandQuizzesNews FeedsHelp & FAQsRugby UnionScores & FixturesTablesAll TeamsEnglishScottishWelshIrishFour men down - but Australia still beat South AfricaImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Australia will open the 2027 World Cup against Hong Kong in Perth Tries: Ikitau 2, Donaldson, Wilson, Jorgensen Cons: Lonergan 4 Pens: Lonergan 3 Tries: Grobbelaar, van der Merwe, penalty try, van den Berg, Nche Cons: Pollard 2, Mngomezulu 2 Pens: Pollard Australia were reduced to 11 men but dug in for an extraordinary win against a much-changed South Africa side as they beat the world champions 42-38 in Perth. The Wallabies excelled with some vibrant attacking rugby, scoring five tries against the back-to-back World Cup winners to lead by 25 points with 16 minutes left. But then a manic spell of four yellow cards in nine minutes left the hosts overrun, with South Africa mounting a comeback that ultimately fell just short. The visitors made 13 changes after beating New Zealand in Baltimore but still fielded a strong starting XV, which boasted 240 caps in the second row alone. But a year out from hosting the World Cup, and a year on from being soundly beaten on home soil by the Lions, it was the home side who impressed before their bizarre late collapse. The teams traded early penalties before Springboks hooker Johan Grobbelaar drove over for the first try of the match after a powerful maul. Australia responded well with a wave of pressure which was rewarded when centre Len Ikitau drove over from a metre out. Ikitau then flew over for his second after the Boks made a mess of a high ball kicked through, but the lead lasted just three minutes. South Africa played the ball quickly and flung it out wide with Edwill van der Merwe on the end of a stunning break to score in the corner. The high level continued as the hosts took the lead again before the break. After 14 patient but quick phases, the Wallabies whipped the ball from right to left to find fly-half Ben Donaldson free to score in the corner. The Springboks had strength in depth to call on, and coach Rassie Erasmus made all eight changes early in the second half with his side down by 10 points. But it was Australia who continued to dominate. Captain Harry Wilson was denied a try as his foot was in touch but just seconds later he did burrow over the line close to the posts. Wing Max Jorgensen then sprinted the length of the pitch to score a stunning solo score after South Africa fumbled the ball to make it 42-17. Wilson was then sin-binned and South Africa finally got their first score of the second half with a penalty try, with Ryan Lonergan yellow carded as well. The Wallabies were down to 13 and a crossfield kick found Van der Merwe in the corner but the wing dropped the ball before he could ground it. Australia wing Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i was then sin-binned as well to leave Australia three men down and replacement scrum-half Morne van den Berg scrambled in to cut the lead to 11 points. Remarkably Australia then appeared to have scored again as Tom Wright intercepted a pass to run in - only for the try to be ruled out and Hunter Paisami shown a fourth yellow card for a dangerous tackle in the build-up. South Africa had so much space and scored again through Ox Nche to cut the lead to four but time ran out. Australia: Wright, Jorgensen, Ikitau, Paisami, Sua'ali'i, Donaldson, Lonergan; Bell, Paenga-Amosa, Alaalatoa, Salakaia-Loto, Williams, Valetini, McReight, Wilson Replacements: Pollard, Ross, Tupou, Shaw, Hooper, Tizzano, McDermott, Potter Yellow cards: Wilson 68, Lonergan 71, Sua'ali'i 73, Paisami 77 South Africa: Fassi, Van der Merwe, Moodie, Esterhuizen, Hooker, Pollard, Jantjies; Wessels, Grobbelaar, Porthen, Etzebeth, Mostert, De Villiers, Louw, Van Staden Replacements: Marx, Nche, Louw, De Jager, Wiese, Van den Berg, Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Horn PreviousNext1:36A defeat but plenty of positives for England. 00:01:36, play videoA defeat but plenty of positives for England0:23'No gap' between England and Spain - Gordon. 00:00:23, play video'No gap' between England and Spain - Gordon1:27Could Manchester City lose some of their trophies? 00:01:27, play videoCould Manchester City lose some of their trophies?0:55Republic of Ireland players vote to play fixture against Israel. 00:00:55, play videoRepublic of Ireland players vote to play fixture against Israel0:40Tuchel says England could have beaten Spain despite errors. 00:00:40, play videoTuchel says England could have beaten Spain despite errors1:27'Significant majority' of Republic of Ireland players voted to play against Israel. 00:01:27, play video'Significant majority' of Republic of Ireland players voted to play against Israel0:45"You won't take away the memories" 00:00:45, play video"You won't take away the memories"0:45Man City women's fans react to charges. 00:00:45, play videoMan City women's fans react to charges1:28'Speed suits' - the next big thing in athletics? 00:01:28, play video'Speed suits' - the next big thing in athletics?0:29'What we did, they cannot take from us' 00:00:29, play video'What we did, they cannot take from us'0:48Will the Man City owners walk out? 00:00:48, play videoWill the Man City owners walk out?1:28'A defeat for City… but not a victory for the Premier League' 00:01:28, play video'A defeat for City… but not a victory for the Premier League'Top storiesLive. Baker strikes early with Sri Lanka chasing 356 in series-deciding ODI Peek if you dare: Lenny Rush stars in a brand-new supernatural comedy Man City? I feel cheated - when do Stoke City get our FA Cup? USA's new breakout star? Sullivan living up to Premier League promise England secure win over New Zealand with last-gasp try. VideoEngland secure win over New Zealand with last-gasp try No Premier League appetite to strip Man City of titles - but threat remains WXV Global Series highlights: Wales 24-26 USA. VideoWXV Global Series highlights: Wales 24-26 USA Scotland rue missed chances in Slovenia draw. VideoScotland rue missed chances in Slovenia draw How PSG's Ballon d'Or duo are pushing each other on

---

Source: BBC Sport

This article has been carefully curated and reformatted for educational and informational purposes. Full credit goes to the original publisher.

---

📚 Visit more helpful articles on Joab Peters Blog