Overview
- The Wallabies beat the Springboks 42-38 in Perth after surviving a frantic finish in which South Africa scored 21 unanswered points late in the game.
- Australia were reduced to 11 men in the final 10 minutes after four yellow cards, but the hosts defended to preserve the win.
- Rassie Erasmus made 13 changes to his starting XV and brought all eight replacements on together at the 47th minute, a gamble he said was a reaction to the match rather than a pre-planned move.
- The result moved Australia up in the World Rugby rankings by two points to sixth and cost South Africa two points while they remain top of the table.
- Media and former players say the Perth Test has intensified scrutiny of several Springboks’ places — notably Aphelele Fassi, Herschel Jantjies, Handré Pollard and Marco van Staden — as Erasmus balances experimentation with World Cup readiness.