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Jeremy Williams took over the captaincy as the undermanned Wallabies looked to protect their lead against the Springboks in Perth. It was a 25-point game with less than 15 minutes to go, but four yellow cards and three converted tries had the Test in the balance.
“The problem is solved on the run,” Williams explained after the game, after the Wallabies held on for a 42-38 win despite going down to 11 men. Harry Wilson, Ryan Lonergan, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Hunter Paisami all received yellow cards during the final quarter.
The Wallabies needed to win by more than 15 to go through England in the world rugby rankings and the men in gold were well on their way to full time. Jorgensen raced away for a statement try, before a wild finish ensued at Perth’s Optus Stadium.
Ox Nche crashed over for South Africa’s third try in quick succession, making it a one-score game with time still on the clock. Williams took over as Wallabies captain during that chaotic period, before Wilson returned to the field for the final game.
The Springboks tried to clear the ball out of their own half, but an obstruction ended the thriller and the Wallabies were awarded a penalty. It saw the Aussies extend their unbeaten run to six Tests, five of which have come under coach Les Kiss.
“Obviously it’s great to win. We were down 11 and the guys showed care and connected and we dug deep for each other and came away with the win,” Williams told reporters.
“It’s a great feeling.
“It’s not something I’ve experienced before, but there were a bunch of guys I could lean on.”
Williams was huge on the line, stealing the ball on South Africa’s throw-in during the second half and then taking the lead late on. Wilson, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Brandon Paenga-Amosa also stood tall during the titanic change from the pack.
The Wallabies have been dealt a blow ahead of the Test, with linebacker Josh Canham ruled out with a minor hamstring strain. Salakaia-Lotto was brought into the starting side, while Lachlan Shaw was named on the bench.
Eben Etzebeth and Franco Mostert started in 2023 Rugby World Cup Finals, and the experienced co-rowers started again last weekend in Perth. It is a difficult task, but the duo of Salakaia-Lotto and Williams rose to the occasion.
“You just have to take every game as it comes. We have work to do and it was a really physical game,” Williams said.
“I thought our game plan worked really well, but it goes back to the work we do during the week. We know we have to train really hard, have good game plans and stick to them. I thought we did a good job of that tonight.”
It is the first time the Wallabies have gone at least six games without defeat since 2017, when coach Michael Cheika led the side on a run of five wins and two draws. Joe Schmidt was in charge when the Wallabies began their current run during July Nations Championship Tests.
The Wallabies claimed a one-sided demolition 57-10 Italy at Perth’s HBF Park, before Kiss took the lead ahead of the two-Test series against Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms. Australia won both matches and then went to Argentina and entered history.
After a hard-earned six-point win in Jujuy, the Wallabies secured their first series triumph away to Argentina with a 28-point draw in Mendoza. Now, after beating the Boks, the Wallabies turn their focus to the two Bledisloe Cup Tests against All black people.
“It’s been a seamless transition. Les has done a great job and the entire coaching staff since they’ve come in,” reflected Williams.
“We just have to keep working hard as a team.
“It’s all about the care we have for each other and that connection. We have to work hard as a team and keep going.”
