Down to 11 men, Australia still hold off South Africa in thriller
Australia beat world champions South Africa 42-38 in Perth despite having four players sin-binned in the closing minutes and nearly surrendering a 25-point lead.
Australia produced an extraordinary performance to beat world champions South Africa 42-38 in a Test match in Perth, holding on for victory despite finishing the game with only 11 men on the field.
The Wallabies played some of their best rugby in years, scoring five tries to build a 25-point lead with just 16 minutes remaining. South Africa had made 13 changes to their starting side following a win over New Zealand in Baltimore, but still fielded an experienced line-up.
The match began tightly, with both sides trading penalties before Springboks hooker Johan Grobbelaar scored the opening try from a driving maul. Australia hit back through centre Len Ikitau, who crossed twice in the first half, while South Africa's Edwill van der Merwe finished off a fine attacking move. Fly-half Ben Donaldson put the hosts ahead again before the break, sending Australia into the interval leading 24-17.
South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus used all eight of his remaining replacements early in the second half, but Australia kept up the pressure. Captain Harry Wilson and winger Max Jorgensen both scored tries to extend the lead to 42-17.
What followed was a chaotic nine-minute spell in which referee Andrea Piardi issued four yellow cards to Australian players — Wilson, Ryan Lonergan, Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i and Hunter Paisami — leaving the hosts with just 11 men on the pitch. South Africa capitalised with a penalty try and further scores from Morne van den Berg and Ox Nche, cutting the deficit to four points. A late Australian try from an intercept was disallowed, but South Africa ran out of time to complete the comeback, and Australia held on for the win.
