Rugby
Springboks grind out a win against the Wallabies─── MORGAN PIEK 09:23 Sun, 24 Aug 2025

The Springboks bounced back from their Johannesburg disappointment with a 30-22 victory over the Wallabies in a chilly, windswept Cape Town on Saturday (23/8) in front of a sold-out Cape Town Stadium.
The result saw South Africa retain the Mandela Challenge Plate, but it was more of a grind than a spectacle, with errors keeping the contest alive until the closing stages.
Handré Pollard was the heartbeat of the Bok effort, slotting three penalties and three conversions while pulling the strings with calm authority. His accurate cross-kicks caused Australia constant problems, and he deservedly walked away with the Man of the Match award.
Kwagga Smith. Photo: SA Rugby
South Africa’s forwards laid a solid platform, particularly at scrum time and the breakdown, while Kwagga Smith marked his late promotion to the starting XV with a first-half try. Canan Moodie also crossed after a pinpoint Pollard kick, giving the Boks a 20-10 lead at half-time.
The Wallabies showed plenty of fight. Tries from Corey Toole, Max Jorgensen, and Brandon Paenga-Amosa kept them in touch, narrowing the gap to just one point midway through the second half. But when Eben Etzebeth powered over four minutes from time, the Boks finally broke clear, stretching the lead to 30-22.
Despite missed chances and handling errors, the Boks’ defensive steel, highlighted by Cheslin Kolbe’s crucial late turnover, secured the result. Australia squandered two late penalty attempts, missing out on a losing bonus point.
It wasn’t flawless, but the Boks will take confidence into their New Zealand tour, knowing there’s still room to sharpen up.
Reflecting on the match, director of rugby Rassie Erasmus said the key was securing the win, denying the Wallabies a bonus point, and now shifting focus to the tough two-Test tour of New Zealand.
“I don’t think we as a group underestimated Australia at all. We said it last week – that first 22 minutes in Joburg probably put the whole world into a lull with how good they are.
“We found them extremely difficult to beat, just like the British & Irish Lions did in those last two Tests. And for us, James O’Connor missed two fairly vital penalties that could’ve made it a very tight finish.
The Springboks with the Mandela Challenge Plate. Photo: SA Rugby
“You know, after a loss, you do lose a little bit of belief – we won eight on the trot and then lost one. Now we’re nine from ten, but the big thing today was to get the win and not let them take a bonus point.
“We’re back in the log points race. They’re still ahead, but overall, ja, I’m just happy with the win.”
Meanwhile, in Buenos Aires, Argentina stunned the All Blacks with a 29-23 victory at the Estadio José Amalfitani, throwing the Rugby Championship wide open, with all four teams now having a win apiece.
The Boks’ next assignment is against New Zealand on 6 September at Eden Park in Auckland.
Scorers:
Springboks: Tries – Canan Moodie, Kwagga Smith, Eben Etzebeth Conv. – Handré Pollard Pen. – Pollard 3
Wallabies: Tries – Corey Toole, Max Jorgensen, Brandon Paenga-Amosa Conv. – James O’Connor 2 Pen. – O’Connor
OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg