Les Kiss’ Wallabies beat the Springboks 42-38 in an absolutely stunning Test match at Perth’s Optus Stadium on Sunday.
The Wallabies, who were reduced to eleven men at one stage in the final ten minutes, kept Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks out at the death to claim an incredible victory over the back-to-back world champions.
The win saw the Wallabies claim the Mandela Challenge Plate, continuing their unbeaten run under Kiss in 2026.
2025 John Eales Medalist Len Ikitau was among the Wallabies’ best before succumbing to an ankle injury in the 53rd minute, bagging a brace in the first 40 minutes.
Looking All black people fighting in the air for four Tests against the Springboks in rugby’s biggest rivalry, the Wallabies made sure they didn’t make the same mistake.
The fans at Optus Stadium were treated to an entertaining first-half battle, with both teams showing physical strength in defense and free will with ball in hand. The Wallabies, however, created few chances and were clinical as they stormed into the sheds with a solid seven-point lead.
Len Ikitau had his fingerprints on everything the Wallabies did during the opening 40 minutes as the Kiss forwards carried the power to instill confidence in the men in gold.
The aerial work of Max Jorgensen and Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i was simply outstanding, drawing the ball out of a flurry of aerial duels throughout the Perth competition.
In the second half, the Springboks were encouraged by their bench, which added instant impact to the set and on both sides of the ball, as the visitors came back strongly.
The Wallabies were ill-disciplined in the final quarter, but they weren’t going to go down without a fight, even with four men on the field during the late stages in Perth.
It was a frantic start to the contest as Suaalii leapt into the air to take the first strike, before Paul De Villiers was on top of the ball to win a penalty to break through.
The first points came from Springboks front five Handre Pollard after Marco Van Staden converted his second turnover of the competition in just the second minute.
Wallabies halfback Ryan Lonergan, who started sharply from the boot, knocked over a penalty soon after Pollard’s successful try, to level the scores after six minutes.
At that moment, the guests started to change. Another breakthrough penalty was awarded, but this time the Springboks opted for a corner.
A driving maul was set up, before another push sent Johan Grobbelaar over the try line for the first five in the Flight Center Series competition.
The Kiss’ Wallabies attacked hard over the next ten minutes, forcing the visitors to attack close to the line. Lukhan Salakaia-Lotto deftly dispossessed Len Ikitau as the midfielder scored his first goal of the night in Perth.
Lonergan opted for a short kick into the box inside the Springboks’ half, only for Suaalii to chase down, winning an aerial contest that fell into Ikitau’s hands for one of the easier tries of his 54-Test career.
An outside ball was played by Pollard to Canan Moodie, putting the Springboks center past Ikitau and through the Wallabies line. Moodie linked up with Aphelele Fassi, who quickly set up Edwil van der Merwe in the corner. Pollard’s conversion swam over the black mark to level the scores at 17-all.
The Kiss side found themselves in acres of space on the right as Tom Wright pushed Max Jorgensen over with an inch-perfect rough-footed shot. The right wing ran inside before the Wallabies attacked the Springboks down the middle. After some battling possession, the Wallabies’ backline moves finally clicked, resulting in Donaldson in the corner just before half-time.
HT: 24-17 to the Wallabies.
McReight’s work at the breakdown was often rewarded by referee Andrea Piardi, securing an important turnaround to get the Wallabies on the attack in the 43rd minute.
Eben Etzebeth was caught “hitting the hole” and Lonergan then extended the Wallabies’ lead to ten. Another indiscretion by the experienced lock a few minutes later led to the home team starting to dominate the scoreboard.
Harry Potter and McReight’s keeri set up their fourth try near the line, through skipper Harry Wilson.
The Red The number 8 saw an opening on the side of the ruck near the Springboks line. Lonergan was once again successful up front as the home side began to pull away from the visitors.
Jorgensen, who was a standout for the Wallabies in the second half, pounced on a Springboks error in the 64th minute to close in on a clinical victory.
In the 65th minute, the Springboks finally found their fashion in scrum time, earning the Ox Nche side a penalty. Erasmus’ team then effortlessly went past the Wallabies from five meters and earned a penalty under the posts. Piardi then sent Lonergan to the sin bin for a scrum-side infringement.
The Wallabies were then down to 12, stunningly, as Suaalii was called for offside during a dangerous Springboks attack. Morne van den Berg had an easy task of putting the ball near the post after a powerful tackle that went over the line.
Hunter Paisami, celebrating Tom Wright’s interception try, quickly found himself in the bin to high-kick Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
In an incredible final few minutes, the Wallabies held on by the slimmest of margins to claim victory.
FT: 42-38 for the Wallabies.
