Australia’s Stunning Comeback: A New Era in Rugby at Ellis Park
For the first 18 minutes of the match, it seemed like South Africa’s double world champions were on a path to victory, dominating play at Ellis Park. They consistently broke through the gain line, shrugging off tackles and overwhelming anyone in a gold jersey. Australia had only touched the ball twice before Kurt-Lee Arendse opened the scoring with a try. After a James O’Connor kickoff and a spilled contestable kick by Tom Wright, it was all South Africa. Just twelve minutes later, André Esterhuizen cut through the defense, followed by Siya Kolisi powering over the line for another try. With Manie Libbok successfully converting both, the score shot to 22-0 in favor of the Springboks, and we hadn’t even reached the quarter mark of this lopsided affair.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii took a hard hit from Eben Etzebeth, while Will Skelton struggled under pressure. O’Connor, brought in at fly-half, was steamrolled multiple times. The Wallabies entered Johannesburg with their reputations buoyed after a successful Lions series, but this felt like a harsh reality check.
Then, in a crucial moment, Fraser McReight won a penalty in his own 22. In rugby, the term "momentum" is often overused, but this was the turning point. Here, Australia dug in their heels and began to fight back, showcasing the growth of Australian rugby under coach Joe Schmidt. Following four consecutive penalties, Dylan Pietsch slid over in the corner for a vital try.
South Africa’s shortcomings only added to their woes. Coach Rassie Erasmus lamented, “We were really poor on the day.” The Springboks struggled with accuracy in the red zone and their inability to secure the ball was a concern. After facing Italy and Georgia during the July internationals, this weakness was glaringly evident. Any team with a dynamic back row, like Schmidt’s Wallabies, would pose significant challenges for the Boks.
Two minutes into the second half, Nick Frost intercepted a lineout. Angus Bell then thrashed Malcolm Marx before finding Harry Wilson on a brilliant line, silencing the 60,000-strong crowd as they realized the Springboks’ once-invincible aura was merely a myth.
The Australian players felt the shift too. Many of them had lifted the Webb Ellis Cup two years earlier after a string of nail-biting victories. They were known for snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, but momentum was now against them. In a pivotal moment, Libbok attempted an ambitious pass from inside his half, only for Suaalii to intercept and score on the hour mark.
Wilson added a second try, ignited by the impressive Wright, who recovered well after his earlier mistake. Australia took the lead, and just seconds after the restart, Max Jorgensen sprinted down the right wing, extending their advantage. When McReight secured the ball with just seven minutes on the clock, despite the Springboks swarming inside Australia’s 22, the match was effectively won. Wright capped off the impressive performance with a stunning counterattacking try, transforming a tense upset into a complete rout. This marked the biggest defeat for the world champions since their fairytale journey began in 2019.
Coach Joe Schmidt reflected on the victory, stating, “It wasn’t about one moment. It was about sticking to our game plan and showing courage. Once we gained a foothold, we kept building.” This encapsulates the emerging narrative of Schmidt’s Wallabies: a resilient team that rises to the occasion when written off. They snatched a late win at Twickenham last year, rallied against the Lions after a shaky start, and now, they’ve turned a 22-point deficit into their first win in Johannesburg since 1963.
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