Overview

• Handré Pollard was named Man of the Match after kicking six from six for 15 points and passing 800 career Test points, guiding South Africa to 1–1 in the Rugby Championship.
• The veteran fly-half returned in place of Manie Libbok and set up Canan Moodie’s early try with a precise cross-kick.
• Erasmus praised Pollard’s “cool head,” rated the performance around a seven out of ten, and framed the result as a needed reset of belief after last week’s defeat.
• Analysts described the display as disjointed despite the win, noting heavy rotation’s effect on cohesion and highlighting Wilco Louw’s late impact in restoring scrum control.
• In wet, kick-heavy conditions, Australia matched the Boks three tries apiece, but James O’Connor’s three missed kicks proved costly before South Africa closed out the contest.