Springboks stunned by Wallabies at Ellis Park
South Africa races to 22-5 halftime lead but second-half surge sees Australia run in six tries to win 38-22.
The Wallabies ended a 50-year drought at Ellis Park with a 38-22 victory over the Springboks on Saturday, August 16.
The Boks made a flying start in front of 51,327 fans, racing into a 22-5 halftime lead thanks to tries from Kurt-Lee Arendse, Andre Esterhuizen, and Siya Kolisi. However, mounting penalties and a second-half surge from Australia saw the visitors score six tries in total, with Harry Wilson crossing twice.
It was the Springboks’ heaviest defeat since Rassie Erasmus returned as head coach in 2018.
Scorers:
Springboks 22 – Tries: Arendse, Esterhuizen, Kolisi. Conversions: Manie Libbok (2). Penalty: Libbok.
Australia 38 – Tries: Dylan Pietsch, Wilson (2), Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen, Tom Wright. Conversions: James O’Connor (4).
Mapimpi called up to Bok squad
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has called up Makazole Mapimpi ahead of their final Castle Lager Rugby Championship match against Australia in Cape Town on Saturday, August 23.
Captain Siya Kolisi and Arendse were both released from the squad after picking up injuries in the Ellis Park defeat.
Mapimpi, a two-time Rugby World Cup winner with 47 Test caps, will provide experienced cover in the backline.
The match kicks off at 17:10 at DHL Stadium and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
