South Africa’s B team have come up trumps in a wet and slippery Perth, with the world champions scoring four tries to nil to secure a 30-12 win over the injury-hit Wallabies.
In a Rugby Championship match blighted by periods of driving rain, the Wallabies only trailed 11-9 at halftime in front of 58,197 fans at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
But the Springboks piled on three tries from rolling mauls in the second half to secure the bonus-point victory.
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South Africa achieved the comprehensive win despite making 10 changes to their starting line-up from last week’s 33-7 win over the Wallabies in Brisbane.
The Wallabies lost captain Allan Alaalatoa and fellow prop Angus Bell at half-time due to head knocks, and replacement prop James Slipper lasted just eight minutes in the second half before also succumbing to concussion.
Inside centre Hunter Paisami limped off early in the second half with a leg injury.
“I was really proud of the way we hung in through to half time,” Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said.
“And then right at the start of the second half, we lost Slips and we got a little bit dishevelled in the pack, because we were down in numbers.
“I was also proud that we didn’t die wondering. We chanced our arm a few times, in pretty tough conditions.”
Officials appeared confused while navigating how to deal with replacements for the Wallabies’ injuries to their front row and the game finished with uncontested scrums.
“It’s probably one of the most bizarre games I’ve ever been involved in, in over 100 Test matches,” Schmidt said.
“I’ve never had a situation like that before where it happens so early in the game as well when Slips got a head knock, right after half time.
“With kind of a little bit of half a pack, it became very difficult, then we ended up with 14 when Seru Uru got sinbinned, you know, that’s a really big ask.”
Heavy rain in Perth throughout Saturday meant smart rugby was needed on the slippery surface, and the Wallabies largely failed the test during the opening 20 minutes.
Noah Lolesio’s third-minute penalty got the Wallabies on the board early.
But they gave up field position a minute later when Andrew Kellaway tried to catch a bullet kick, only for it to slip through his fingers and go into touch.
Wallabies winger Marika Koroibete’s attempted chip and chase would have led to a South Africa try if not for Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s fumble with the try line in sight.
And Lolesio’s audacious cross-field kick in defence that was picked off by Springboks winger Makazole Mapimpi almost proved disastrous, with only a try-saving tackle from Tom Wright keeping South Africa at bay.
A Wallabies fumble in attack led to South Africa’s first try in the 17th minute, with the Springboks racing the ball forward before a dribble kick allowed fullback Aphelele Fassi to dive over.
Two Lolesio penalties — including a tough 45m effort from near the touch line — reduced the deficit to 11-9 late in the half.
And the Wallabies would have entered the break with a one-point lead if not for Lolesio missing a straightforward penalty after the siren.
South Africa extended their lead to 18-9 early in the second half when flanker Marco van Staden crashed over from a rolling maul, before Lolesio’s fourth penalty closed the margin back to six points.
Max Jorgensen replaced Paisami in the 48th minute for his Test debut.
It meant Jorgensen and his father Peter became the 14th father-son pairing to feature for the Wallabies.
Jorgensen had one electric run in the second half to showcase his potential, but overall the Wallabies’ chances were limited due to the conditions and South Africa’s strong defence.
The Springboks opened up a 23-12 lead in the 63rd minute courtesy of another rolling maul from a line-out, with substitute Malcolm Marx touching down this time.
Any hopes of an Australian victory evaporated in the 73rd minute when Seru Uru was sin-binned and Marx scored his second try from the next play — again from a rolling maul.
“Overall, I would say very satisfying,” South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus said of the win.
“It wasn’t beautiful in this weather. It’s tough to play beautiful rugby, but it was a satisfying victory.”
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