Match Centre: Australia 8-24 South Africa
Makazole Mapimpi was one of the try scorer for South Africa
©Steve Haag
Australia 8-24 South Africa, Sydney
South Africa have managed to return back to winning ways as they defeated Australia 24-8 in the latest round of the Rugby Championship played in Sydney on Saturday.
Despite the win, the Springboks are at third place with nine points while Australia also have nine but with better point difference they claim the second place.
Talented young utility back Canan Moodie will make his Springbok debut against Australia in Sydney in The Rugby Championship as injuries and the desire to try a few new player combinations sees head coach Jacques Nienaber include eight new players in the starting team.
South Africa launched early attack pushing the Wallabies back and it paid dividends in the 9th minute as a brilliant offload from Eben Etzebeth allowed Damian de Allende to cross over after Matt Philip was sent to sin-bin for a dangerous tackle on Jaden Hendrikse. Damian Willemse starting at fly-half kicked the conversion to make it 0-7.
Australia had their chance to open the account as Eben Etzebeth made a high tackle on Folau Fainga’a and Noah Lolesio struck a penalty goal making it 3-7.
At the stroke of half time, the 19-year-old scored his first international try on debut after grabbing a perfect box kick from Hendrikse but the conversion went wide as the Springboks completed the opening half with a 3-12 lead.
South Africa extended their lead further early in the second half as once again Hendrikse was superb with this time Franco Mostert forcing his way over the line and once again the conversion went missing. South Africa had a lead of 3-17 by the 43rd minute.
As the game entered the final 10 minutes Willie le Roux sent Makazole Mapimpi over the line but things got heated up as Mapimpi and Marika Koroibete had a heated tussle with the Springboks wing yellow carded. With the numerical advantage on their side, Australia made a late surge with Pete Samu scoring a consolation try.
Le Roux was sin-binned in the final minute but it did not cost the Springboks much as they completed a 16-point victory.
Team line up:
Australia XV: J Slipper (c), F Fainga’a, A Alaalatoa; R Arnold, M Philip; J Holloway, F McReight, R Valetini; N White, N Lolesio; M Koroibete, H Paisami, L Ikitau, T Wright; R Hodge
Reserves: D Porecki, S Sio, T Tupou, D Swain, R Leota, P Samu; J Gordon, A Kellaway.
South Africa XV: S Kitshoff, M Marx, F Malherbe; E Etzebeth, L de Jager; F Mostert, S Kolisi (c), J Wiese; J Hendrikse, D Willemse; M Mapimpi, D de Allende, J Kriel, C Moodie; W le Roux.
Reserves: D Fourie, O Nche, T Nyakane, K Smith, D Vermeulen; C Reinach, F Steyn, W Gelant.
