The Springboks overcame a fierce Wallabies challenge to secure a tense 30-22 victory in Cape Town, avenging last weekend’s defeat in Johannesburg and retaining the Mandela Challenge Plate.
Both sides scored three tries, with Canan Moodie, Kwagga Smith and Eben Etzebeth crossing for South Africa, while Handre Pollard contributed 15 points in a man-of-the-match performance.
Australia’s Corey Toole, Max Jorgensen and Brandon Paenga-Amosa dotted down, but James O’Connor’s missed kicks in the closing stages proved costly as the Wallabies fell short.
Despite finishing with 14 men after Aphelele Fassi’s late yellow card, the Boks held firm to preserve their lead and keep their Rugby Championship hopes alive.
