Australia produced one of their most memorable victories in recent years, holding off a remarkable late Springbok comeback to claim a 42–38 victory in Perth on Sunday.
In a match that had almost everything, the Wallabies built a commanding 25-point advantage before being reduced to just 11 players during a chaotic final period at Optus Stadium. South Africa responded with three late tries, but Australia somehow survived to secure the victory and reclaim the Mandela Challenge Plate.
Australia take control
The Springboks actually made the stronger start.
Handré Pollard opened the scoring from the tee before Johan Grobbelaar scored his first Test try from a rolling maul to give South Africa an early advantage.
Australia responded quickly, with Len Ikitau scoring twice before Edwill van der Merwe crossed for the Springboks to level matters at 17–17.
Ben Donaldson’s try shortly before halftime gave Australia a 24–17 lead at the break.
From there, the Wallabies took control.
Captain Harry Wilson and Max Jorgensen added tries as Australia stretched their advantage to 42–17, leaving the world champions staring at a heavy defeat.
The performance was particularly significant for a Wallabies side enjoying an impressive resurgence under new coach Les Kiss. Australia entered the fixture unbeaten in four matches under Kiss and extended that run to five with their biggest scalp yet.
Chaos in the closing stages
Then the match changed completely.
Australia received four yellow cards during the final stages, with Harry Wilson, Ryan Lonergan, Joseph Suaalii and Hunter Paisami all sent to the sin bin.
At one stage, the Wallabies were defending their lead with only 11 players on the field.
South Africa finally found momentum.
The Springboks scored three tries in the final 10 minutes as Australia’s once comfortable 25-point advantage rapidly disappeared. What looked like a convincing Wallabies victory suddenly became a desperate battle to survive.
The Boks closed the gap to just four points, but time eventually ran out.
Australia held on for an extraordinary 42–38 win in front of 54,678 supporters in Perth.
A changed Springbok side
South Africa entered the Test having made 13 changes to the starting XV that had featured during their successful series against the All Blacks.
Rassie Erasmus used the Perth encounter as an opportunity to test combinations and give opportunities to different players, but Australia punished the Boks’ errors and defensive lapses.
Despite the defeat, South Africa’s late response demonstrated the depth and physicality that has become a hallmark of the side.
Few teams could trail 42–17 and still threaten to steal the match.
A major statement from the Wallabies
For Australia, however, this was a result that could carry significance well beyond one Test.
With the 2027 Rugby World Cup approaching on home soil, the Wallabies showed they can compete with — and beat — the world’s leading teams.
They attacked with confidence, defended under enormous pressure and, despite an extraordinary disciplinary collapse, found a way to win.
The fact that Perth will also host Australia’s opening match of the 2027 World Cup only added to the occasion.
South Africa will leave wondering how they allowed Australia to establish such a commanding lead.
Australia will leave believing again.
In one of the wildest Test matches of 2026, the Wallabies had just enough left to survive.
