A spirited Australia side produced a display of grit and attacking flair to withstand a late Springbok fightback and secure a high-scoring victory at Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday.
The Springboks struck first through hooker Johan Grobbelaar’s early rolling maul, but the hosts quickly took control. Centre Len Ikitau crossed twice in three minutes before flyhalf Ben Donaldson dived over on the stroke of half-time to cancel out Edwill van der Merwe’s effort, giving Australia a 24-17 lead at the break.
Les Kiss’s men blew the game wide open after the interval, with captain Harry Wilson bundling over on 59 minutes before winger Max Jorgensen finished off a dazzling move four minutes later to extend the lead.
The match descended into disciplinary chaos late on as a raft of yellow cards reduced Australia to just 11 men. South Africa seized on the numerical advantage with replacement scrumhalf Morne van den Berg sniping over on 73 minutes before Ox Nche went over for his first try but it was not enough in the end.
Scorers:
-
Australia: Tries: Len Ikitau (23′, 26′), Ben Donaldson (38′), Harry Wilson (59′), Max Jorgensen (63′),
-
South Africa: Tries: Johan Grobbelaar (9′), Edwill van der Merwe (29′), Morne van den Berg (73′), Nche (80′)
