In a heart-stopping encounter at a rain-swept Ellis Park, the Springboks of South Africa emerged victorious against a resurgent Australian side, securing a narrow 26-24 win in the Rugby Championship. The match, a brutal and captivating arm-wrestle, was ultimately decided by the unerring boot of fly-half Handré Pollard.
The Wallabies, under new leadership, defied pre-match predictions by storming into an early 14-0 lead, stunning the home crowd. Tries from Andrew Kellaway and Tom Wright, both converted by Noah Lolesio, sent a clear message that this was not the same Australian team of recent campaigns.
However, the world champions showed their trademark resilience. A critical try from livewire scrum-half Faf de Klerk just before halftime, coupled with relentless pressure, swung the momentum. The second half became a tense tactical battle, punctuated by penalties.
Handré Pollard proved to be the difference-maker, slotting four penalties and two conversions for a personal haul of 16 points. His composure under immense pressure kept the scoreboard ticking over for the Springboks, negating the Wallabies' aggressive attack.
Despite a late and furious assault from the visitors, which saw them camped on the South African try line, the Springbok defence held firm. A monumental defensive effort in the final moments, including a crucial turnover, sealed the hard-fought victory for Jacques Nienaber's side.
The result leaves South Africa in a strong position within the Rugby Championship, while Australia, despite the loss, will take significant confidence from their vastly improved performance against the world's best.
