A courageous Wallabies aspect have narrowly failed of their efforts to go back-to-back in South Africa, however Joe Schmidt’s aspect could have misplaced few followers in taking place 30-22 to the Springboks in Cape City.
Regardless of dropping Tom Wright (calf) and Nic White (HIA) contained in the opening quarter-hour, and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii at half-time, the Wallabies pushed the back-to-back world champions till the loss of life.
Certainly, the Wallabies terribly reduce the margin to a lone level when Brandon Paenga-Amosa labored his means over from a rolling maul within the 68th minute.
However a attempt to veteran lock Eben Etzebeth, and two late missed penalties from James O’Connor, noticed Rassie Erasmus’ males prevail to make sure they held onto the Nelson Mandela Plate.
The win additionally noticed the Springboks get their Rugby Championship marketing campaign again on observe earlier than heading to New Zealand for 2 Exams subsequent month. However they nonetheless path the Wallabies (5) by some extent, with the All Blacks introduced a chance to increase their lead on the high of the standings after they tackle Los Pumas on Sunday morning (7:10am AEST).
“Credit score to the Boks, they had been nice. It was a bodily battle on the market. However I’m tremendous pleased with my boys. We misplaced just a few good males out however below a little bit of adversity, we fought proper till the top,” mentioned appearing captain Fraser McReight.
“We’ll lick our wounds and prepare for Argentina.”
South Africa’s quantity eight Kwagga Smith reacts after scoring towards the Wallabies on the DHL Stadium in Cape City on August 23, 2025. (Picture by RODGER BOSCH/AFP by way of Getty Photos)
Sharpshooter Handre Pollard proved to be the distinction between the 2 sides.
After being not noted final week, the double World Cup-winner supplied the calming affect and Take a look at-savvy expertise to information the Springboks residence.
Pollard was additionally excellent from the tee, banging over essential 15 factors, together with three penalties, in greasy situations after rain hit the coastal metropolis all week and left the pitch muddy.
“It was powerful. After that large rainstorm earlier than warm-up, the pitch was fairly greasy, numerous mud on the ball, so it was powerful to play,” Pollard mentioned.
“However I assumed we managed it properly, the forwards stepped up, our defence was good at occasions. We gave some foolish penalties away, which gave them good discipline place, so there’s rather a lot to work from, however we’ll take the win.”
Regardless of failing to choose up a dropping bonus level, there’s little doubt the Wallabies took one other step ahead as they as soon as once more confirmed final week’s beautiful win in Johannesburg was no fluke.
Not solely did Schmidt’s aspect push the Springboks till the loss of life, the Wallabies, regardless of the backline reshuffle, which noticed O’Connor and Tane Edmed mix within the second half, made six linebreaks to the Springboks’ three and beat 30 defenders within the course of.
Encouragingly, too, the Wallabies’ scrum held agency with out their first-choice props James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa with Tom Robertson and Taniela Tupou stepping up.
“We really feel like we’re taking part in catching up,” Schmidt mentioned. “This time final 12 months, South Africa received back-to-back bonus level victories at a canter. We’re evolving and bettering.”
He added: “I do know it’s a loss, but it surely’s three tries apiece with a group that received destabilised early on. It does give perception.”
Regardless of not with the ability to have the identical affect on the bottom as he did final week, McReight was amongst the Wallabies’ greatest because the No.7 made a match-high 17 tackles – three greater than Springboks duo Damian de Allende and Kwagga Smith.
His back-row teammates Tom Hooper and Rob Valetini had been each wonderful, whereas second-row duo Will Skelton and Nick Frost as soon as once more mixed properly.
Substitute halfback Tate McDermott confirmed his maturity and progress as a participant after one other sturdy contribution after approaching early, whereas O’Connor loved a advantageous first hour earlier than his late wobbles.
Outdoors backs Corey Toole and Max Jorgensen as soon as once more appeared threatening with each contact, however had been shaved within the aerial battle that returning winger Cheslin Kolbe helped dominate.
Wallabies flyer Max Jorgensen on his option to the tryline towards the Springboks in Cape City on August 23, 2025. (Picture by RODGER BOSCH/AFP by way of Getty Photos)
Finally, nevertheless, the Wallabies failed to know the large moments.
The Wallabies twice turned down very kickable penalties within the first half when the rating was 13-7 as they kicked for contact. However the Springboks made the Wallabies pay for being grasping.
Later, O’Connor missed a conversion that will have put the Wallabies in entrance with 14 minutes left. His powerful cross minutes later additionally proved too scorching to deal with for Andrew Kellaway – and allowed the Springboks to increase their lead out past a transformed strive.
Earlier, Pollard knocked over two penalties inside six minutes to present the house aspect a six-nil lead. Making the gradual begin all the more severe was that the Wallabies misplaced Wright to a suspected calf damage.
However the Wallabies responded swiftly, with Toole working onto a beautiful White kick to attain on debut.
Sadly, the Springboks’ response was simply as fast as Canan Moodie ran onto a kick from Pollard to assist the house aspect take a 13-7 lead. Making issues worse, White failed a Head Harm Evaluation after being flung to the bottom.
The Wallabies then turned down two pictures at aim in fast succession halfway via the primary half and paid the worth for chasing one other strive.
Smith then scored to rub salt into the wound, because the Springboks raced out to a 20-7 lead.
O’Connor’s long-range penalty on the stroke of half-time saved the Wallabies within the match.
Whereas the Wallabies made the worst doable begin to the second half as Edmed kicked out on the complete, the guests rallied and managed to carry the Springboks out.
Schmidt’s males reduce the margin to 20-17 when Aphelele Fassi did not cope with a intelligent O’Connor kick and Jorgensen by some means received himself between three defenders to gather the bouncing ball to attain.
Pollard’s third penalty simply earlier than the hour-mark steadied the ship, earlier than Paenga-Amosa scored to deliver the Wallabies proper again into the competition.
But it surely wouldn’t be sufficient as Etzebeth scored, and O’Connor’s often trusty boot abandoned him.
