Overview

• South Africa won 30-22 at Cape Town Stadium, with Eben Etzebeth scoring late after the teams traded three tries each.
• James O’Connor missed a 69th‑minute conversion and two late penalties, which left Australia without a losing bonus point.
• Australia lost Tom Wright and Nic White inside 11 minutes and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii at halftime, forcing backline reshuffles.
• Joe Schmidt highlighted belief from the performance but said South Africa’s physicality and a heavy kicking plan, estimated at 35 kicks in play, proved decisive.
• Rassie Erasmus said the result puts the Springboks back in contention and flagged a 36‑player squad for away Tests in Auckland and Wellington, with Australia still ahead on log points from their earlier bonus‑point win.