Coming from an error-prone defeat to the Pumas, Springboks’ encounter with the Wallabies in Rugby Championship 2018 Round 3 who were winless in their past 3 outings was always going to be a very nervy affair. However, it was the Aussies who emerged triumphant at the final whistle.

Australia vs South Africa Rugby TRC Road 3 Game

For the first time in 4 years, Kurtley Bealey started at fly-half at the expense of underwhelming B. Foley for the Australian Side. Head coach, M. Cheika had to come up with a strategy to overcome the major injury setbacks endured by the Wallabies just a few hours to kick off in the Rugby Championship 2018 Round 3. Israel Folau, A. Coleman, and D. Pockock succumbed to injuries just hours prior to the game and which made matters worse for Cheika.

Meanwhile, under fire Springboks’ coach, Erasmus, made a very unpopular call when he opted to give a start to Bongi Mbonambi at the expense of Malcolm who was demoted to the bench.

Australia vs South Africa Rugby: Key Events

The Wallabies were the first to breach the Boks defense. The early Michael Hooper try in the 2nd minute that was duly converted by Toomua.

The try resulted in the Boks playing with more purpose and they won a penalty which Jantjies converted in the 7th min. A relentless South African maul was too much for the Wallabies and the Mbonambi’s try in the 14th minute was the prove. Jantjies made no mistake from the conversion to ensure that the Boks got maximum points and go into a lead, offsetting the Wallabies’ flying start.

The early moments were all Springboks and they extended the lead through Mapimpi after an excellent play by Faf de Klerk.

Then came a moment of sheer madness in the 33rd minute when an errant lineout throw by Mbonambi gifted Toomua with a very easy try. The hooker’s decision to take a long throw just 5m from his own line proved too long for Boks’ jumpers. As a result, Marx Malcolm taking his place as a substitution player immediately. Moments later, the Boks won a penalty which Jantjies put over in typical fashion.

Going into halftime the Boks had nothing to show for their superior possession as Australian super-boot, Reece Hodge, converted a terrific 53-yard penalty to bring the Aussies to within one point.

Halftime score 17-18: Australia vs South Africa Rugby

Off the break, the Wallabies came out stronger and they reaped fruits for their labor when Toomua converted a relatively straightforward penalty that saw them go ahead for the second time in the Rugby Championship 2018 Round 3 game.

There were scarce scoring opportunities in the second period which meant that Toomua’s second penalty conversion in the second half in the 72nd minute was very decisive.

Wallabies were able to keep off the Boks for the remainder of the game which grew more and more feisty as the clock ran down. It was a morale-boosting win for the Aussies at the end with Toomua’s 2 penalties being the only changes to the scoreline in the second half.

Springboks vs Australia Rugby Score in TRC Road 3 Game

Australia Rugby

  • Try: Hooper, Toomua
  • Con: Toomua
  • Pen: Hodge, Toomua

South Africa Rugby

  • Try: Mbonambi, Mapimpi
  • Con: Jantjies
  • Pen: Jantjies

Australia vs South Africa Rugby Final Score

Though the Springboks were ahead till half-time by 17-18, they fail to secure a win after the full time due to the energetic come back of the Wallabies after the first half. Besides, the poor defense of the Springbok also responsible for SA vs Australia Rugby Results to win Australia by 23-18. Man of the match Matt Toomua.

SA vs Australia Rugby Post Match Reaction and Recap

Naturally, the Springbok coach acted out badly for the poor performance of the boys, nothing else, no excuse had not counted at all. But the Australian side’s coach generally being happy for his troops to gift them a nail-biting win in Rugby Championship 2018 Road 3 Game.

Springboks Rugby

Rassie Erasmus, Springboks’ head coach, wasn’t happy at the overall performance of his side which he termed as “stupid”. Speaking after the Rugby Championship 2018 Round 3 game vs Aussies, Erasmus had a stolidly calm disposition on a Video referee’s call to deny a Boks try late into the game. In addition to that, he was discontented by his sides’ poor defense in the first half. It gave away an early try in the 1st half. He was also raged by a moment of madness that saw a lineout mistake. And that mistake gave away a very easy try against a wounded Australian outfit.

Wallabies Rugby

On the other hand, team’s endurance in holding their nerves and denying a late Boks comeback impressed Australia’s head coach Michael Chieka. Chieka was buoyed by the hard work and intensity showcased by the team but called on his army to be sharper in getting the ball over the try line. He gave much of the credit to the players for wanting to fight and get on their feet at times when everything seemed to fall apart.

Australia Rugby Starting 15 for Rugby Championship 2018 Round 3

  • Dane Haylett-Petty
  • Jack Maddocks
  • Reece Hodge
  • Matt Toomua
  • Marika Koroibete
  • Kurtley Beale
  • Will Genia
  • Pete Samu
  • Michael Hooper (c)
  • Lukhan Tui
  • Izack Rodda
  • Rory Arnold
  • Allan Alaalatoa
  • Tatafu Polota-Nau
  • Scott Sio

SA Rugby Starting Line up

  • Willie le Roux
  • Makazole Mapimpi
  • Jesse Kriel
  • Damian de Allende
  • Aphiwe Dyantyi
  • Elton Jantjies
  • Francois de Klerk
  • Warren Whiteley
  • Pieter-Steph du Toit
  • Siyamthanda Kolisi (c)
  • Franco Mostert
  • Eben Etzebeth
  • Frans Malherbe
  • Mbongeni Mbonambi
  • Steven Kitshoff

Both Sides Road 4 Game Predictions

The Wallabies will definitely go into the next game against the Pumas with a sky-high mentality on the 15th of September. They will most probably come out of the game as winners when they host Argentina at the Robina Stadium.

With the erratic showing by the Boks, they definitely don’t stand a chance when they hit the road to face the reigning world champions, The All Blacks. Much has to be done to rectify the South African defense but the New Zealanders will be too much a test for them. All Blacks will emerge victorious in this matchup.

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