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2w ago

Australia Stuns South Africa With 38-22 Ellis Park Comeback

Australia’s revival under coach Joe Schmidt reaches new heights, vaulting them to the top of the Rugby Championship standings.

Rugby Union - Rugby Championship - South Africa v Australia - Ellis Park, Johannesburg, South Africa - August 16, 2025 Australia's Nick Frost in action during a line out with South Africa's Lood de Jager REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
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Overview

  • Australia trailed 22-0 after 20 minutes but scored 38 unanswered points, with captain Harry Wilson crossing twice to secure their first win at Ellis Park since 1963.
  • Recalled veteran James O’Connor converted four kicks and marshalled the backline in his first Test since 2022, proving decisive in the second-half surge.
  • Springboks had opened a commanding lead through box kicks from Grant Williams and early tries by Kurt-Lee Arendse, Andre Esterhuizen and Siya Kolisi but faltered at the breakdown.
  • Coach Rassie Erasmus took full responsibility for lapses in discipline and breakdown ball security that allowed Australia to seize momentum.
  • Injury assessments for Dylan Pietsch (suspected broken jaw) and Wilson (knee) will influence squad selection ahead of next week’s match in Cape Town.