Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

Australia vs South Africa LIVE: Rugby Championship result and final score as Springboks beat Wallabies

Australia and South Africa met again in Sydney after the hosts won in Adelaide last time out

Harry Latham-Coyle
Saturday 03 September 2022 08:02 EDT
Comments
Australia launch bid for 2027 Rugby World Cup

Teenager Canan Moodie scored a try on debut as the Springboks snapped a nine-year losing streak on Australian soil with a 24-8 victory over the Wallabies in a sometimes tempestuous Rugby Championship test on Saturday.

Centre Damian de Allende, flanker Franco Mostert and winger Makazole Mapimpi also crossed to help the world champions get back to winning ways after two straight defeats and gatecrash the opening party at the re-built Sydney Football Stadium.

Australia, having named an unchanged starting side for the first time in three years, suffered another rash of injuries but were inaccurate in their play all evening and slumped to a fourth defeat in seven matches this year.

The bonus point victory elevated the Springboks to second place in the championship standings behind reigning champions New Zealand, who beat Argentina 53-3 in Hamilton earlier on Saturday, with two rounds of the championship remaining.

Australia 3-24 South Africa, 77 minutes

Two front-rowers are going 80 minutes here, both Malcolm Marx and Allan Alaalatoa producing remarkable efforts in a tough, physical test match - the latter particularly so after surely having the life scared out of him by Eben Etzebeth in that scuffle.

He wins a penalty, too, the Australian tighthead - South Africa drive on an illegal angle at the scrum.

Harry Latham-Coyle3 September 2022 12:30

Australia 3-24 South Africa, 76 minutes

Australia vary their attacking play, Jake Gordon in at scrum-half with Nic White pushed to the wing. But the Wallabies have looked slightly lost since the departures of first Hunter Paisami and then Noah Lolesio, forced to employ a rejigged backline that surely will have spent little training time together.

A spinning blind pass tumbles forward from the hands of a frowning Marika Koroibete, who has been short of opportunities.

Harry Latham-Coyle3 September 2022 12:27

Australia 3-24 South Africa, 74 minutes

South Africa are well placed for a bonus point, of course, and will be keen to close this out, even down to 14 players. Canan Moodie nearly repeats his acrobatic first-half trick, but can’t quite secure the catch of Cobus Reinach’s box kick.

Harry Latham-Coyle3 September 2022 12:25

Australia 3-24 South Africa, 72 minutes

The try stands, though, and Frans Steyn knocks over the touchline conversion. It was more smart handling from South Africa to work the space, Willie le Roux fading to the outside on a wide miss pass and putting Mapimpi in.

Australia will have a penalty on halfway to restart the game but that is surely the death knell.

Harry Latham-Coyle3 September 2022 12:23

TRY! Australia 3-22 SOUTH AFRICA (Makazole Mapimpi try, 71 minutes)

Makazole Mapimpi sprints into the corner for the score! But tempers flare and there’s an almighty scrap, and we are going upstairs for a check!

The try looks good, but Mapimpi had been angered by the cover tackle of Marika Koroibete. Like last week’s try-saver, Koroibete’s challenge looks to have a hint of the arm-less about it, though this one looks just about ok. Mapimpi inflames things by standing over Koroibete and telling him all about the score, instigating a mighty brawl, both sets of players piling in.

As ever in the modern era, it’s all pushing and shoving. Eben Etzebeth’s eyes open widely in a truly terrifying manner as he grasps the shirt of Allan Alaalatoa, driving the prop infield with seemingly cruel intent, though holding back wisely.

Yellow card for Mapimpi! A long discussion between Ben O’Keeffe and his TMO Brendon Pickerill, but the try-scorer won’t see out this game for his role in sparking that fracas.

Harry Latham-Coyle3 September 2022 12:16

Australia 3-17 South Africa, 70 minutes

Siya Kolisi has earned a deserved sit-down, the South African captain replaced for the final ten minutes after an excellent showing. Duane Vermeulen’s introduction ensures little drop off in back-row leadership.

Deon Fourie was named as hooker cover but he also appears to now be on and at flanker, his regular position for the Stormers. The new-look South African scrum earns penalty advantage, and there’s space on the left edge...

Harry Latham-Coyle3 September 2022 12:15

Australia 3-17 South Africa, 68 minutes

Can Australia find something to get them going? Rob Valetini has carried superbly all night, and makes a hulking dent, but Dave Porecki takes Kwagga Smith around the neck as he tries to make sure the ball comes back cleanly. It just hasn’t quite happened for Australia.

Harry Latham-Coyle3 September 2022 12:13

Australia 3-17 South Africa, 67 minutes

South Africa continue to look a threat but can’t quite fully cut Australia open. Damian Willemse’s toe ahead hops uncomfortably for Tom Wright, now at full-back, but the Wallaby is able to ground for a goalline drop out.

Harry Latham-Coyle3 September 2022 12:12

Australia 3-17 South Africa, 65 minutes

James Slipper is going off, so Allan Alaalatoa will be Dave Rennie’s 80-minute man in the front row. Dave Porecki is trotting on, too, so Folau Fainga’a’s evening is done, while Rob Leota replaces Matt Philip. Trevor Nyakane steps in for Frans Malherbe on the South African tighthead.

There is Leota, darting on a sharp line after lurking in the 13 channel, but failing to fully get back to his feet before crawling for extra metres and penalised.

Harry Latham-Coyle3 September 2022 12:10

Australia 3-17 South Africa, 63 minutes

Another useful pilfer! Pete Samu wraps his biceps around Franco Mostert and spins away from the contact area in possession. Australia just about clinging on.

Harry Latham-Coyle3 September 2022 12:07

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in