South Africa once again overpowered Australia in the Rugby Championship on Saturday with a 30-12 victory in wet and slippery conditions at Optus Stadium. The two-time reigning World Cup champions scored the game’s only four tries in front of 58,197 fans, many supporting the Springboks with Perth home to a strong South African community. South Africa made 10 changes after a 33-7 triumph last week in Brisbane and overcame a grittier Wallabies in a ferocious contest, with several players forced off with head injuries.
Neither team was comfortable claiming the ball in the air or on the ground after torrential rain. The Springboks, who boasted 14 World Cup winners, struggled initially to handle the slippery conditions and only led 11-9 at half-time before overwhelming the Wallabies with three second-half tries. “I’m happy for the players, who took their chances and showed us what they could do,” said South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus.
“The whole game was nerve-racking. It was tough to play beautiful rugby in this weather but it was a satisfying victory.” It was an improvement from the Wallabies who, despite running out of gas, played with a harder edge after their physicality had been questioned.
They made five changes, with powerful winger Marika Koroibete proving an inspired inclusion in his first Test since last year’s World Cup. But the Wallabies’ chances of an upset sank when their front row of captain Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell and James Slipper all suffered.