South Africa Prove Too Strong for Australia in Rugby Championship Clash

In a gritty encounter at a rain-soaked Optus Stadium in Perth, South Africa continued their dominant form in the 2024 Rugby Championship, securing a 30-12 victory over Australia. The win marked the Springboks’ second consecutive triumph over the Wallabies, who were left reeling after another physically punishing battle. The match began with Australia eager to […]

In a gritty encounter at a rain-soaked Optus Stadium in Perth, South Africa continued their dominant form in the 2024 Rugby Championship, securing a 30-12 victory over Australia. The win marked the Springboks’ second consecutive triumph over the Wallabies, who were left reeling after another physically punishing battle.

The match began with Australia eager to make amends for their heavy defeat in Brisbane the previous week. Fly-half Noah Lolesio kept the Wallabies in contention early on, slotting four penalties to keep the scoreboard ticking over. However, despite their resilience, the Wallabies struggled to penetrate the Springbok defense, rarely threatening the try line.

South Africa, on the other hand, capitalized on their opportunities. Aphelele Fassi opened the scoring with a well-taken try after a slick counter-attack, setting the tone for the visitors. The Springboks’ forward pack then took control, with Marco van Staden crashing over early in the second half from a rolling maul. The relentless pressure from South Africa eventually wore down the Wallabies, and replacement hooker Malcolm Marx added two more tries from powerful mauls to seal the victory.

Australia’s debutants, including teenage winger Max Jorgensen, showed flashes of promise but were unable to change the course of the game. A yellow card for replacement flanker Sere Uru in the final minutes compounded the Wallabies’ woes, as Marx scored his second try, cementing South Africa’s dominance.

The win keeps South Africa on track in the Rugby Championship, with their sights now set on their upcoming clash against New Zealand. For Australia, the result serves as a reminder of the gap they need to close to compete at the highest level, especially with another tough match against Argentina looming.

The Springboks’ physicality and tactical discipline proved too much for a Wallabies side still finding its feet under new coach Joe Schmidt. While Australia improved defensively compared to their previous outing, they will need to find more creativity and cutting edge if they are to bounce back in the remaining fixtures​