The Springboks and Australia met at CBUS Super Stadium for the 3rd Round of the 2021 Rugby Championship. South Africa almost stole the match as they were in the lead with 26-25, however a penalty by Quade Cooper after time was up on the clock gave Australia a deserved 28-26 win.
A scrappy game "spoiled" by too many penalties and yellow cards. Australia was in control for most of the match, however, the Springboks "bomb" squad almost secured a win as they led 26-25 with the time up on the clock.
05:16 Handré Pollard converted his first penalty to open the Springboks account (00-03).
07:55 Quade Coopers levelled the score with a converted penalty (03-03).
11:14 Handré Pollard converted his second penalty (03-06).
13:47 Quade Cooper drew the scores once again with a converted penalty (06-06).
15:27 Siya Kolisi (Springbok) was sent off with a yellow card after a dangerous tackle.
16:30 Andrew Kellaway scored a great try after the half-hearted defence by the Springboks' outside backs (13-06).
20:00 A very even match up to this stage, however, the yellow card to Springbok Captain, Siya Kolisi has given Australia a definite edge.
26:41 Matt Philip (Australia) was sent off with a yellow card.
27:18 Bongi Mbonambi scored the Springboks 1st try from the back of a 5m lineout-maul (13-11).
32:58 Quade Cooper add another 3 points with a converted penalty (16-11).
40:59 Quade Cooper converted his 4th penalty (19-11)
40:00 The momentum is with Australia as the Springboks are outplayed in all the facets of the game. A penalty that was awarded to Australia after a scrum, just before halftime, was a clear sign of the Springboks losing their grip on the game.
45:49 Handré Pollard converted his 3rd penalty (19-14).
51:10 Willie le Roux (Springboks) yellow carded.
52:14 Another converted penalty by Quade Cooper (22-14).
57:53 Folau Fainga’a(Australia) was sent off with a yellow card.
58:26 Malcolm Marx scored the Springboks' 2nd try off the back of a 5m lineout-maul (22-21).
60:00 The Springboks put all their replacements on in a final desperate attempt to stop a certain Australian victory. Fortunately for them, it seemed to be working with 20 minutes to go.
62:32 Quade Cooper converted another penalty (25-21).
71:18 Malcolm Marx scored his second try from yet another 5m lineout-maul to put the Springboks back into the lead (25-26).
Scorers:
Australia: Try: Andrew Kellaway. Conversion: Quade Cooper. Penalties: Quade Cooper (7).
Springboks: Tries: Bongi Mbonambi, Malcolm Marx (2). Conversion: Handré Pollard. Penalties: Handré Pollard (3).
Springboks: 15. Willie le Roux, 14. Sbu Nkosi, 13. Lukhanyo Am, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Handré Pollard, 9. Faf de Klerk, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Franco Mostert, 6. Siya Kolisi (c), 5. Lood de Jager (50), 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 1. Steven Kitshoff. Replacements: 16. Malcolm Marx, 17. Ox Nché, 18. Vincent Koch), 19. Marco van Staden, 20. Kwagga Smith, 21. Jasper Wiese, 22. Herschel Jantjies, 23. Damian Willemse.
Wallabies: 15. Tom Banks, 14. Andrew Kellaway, 13. Len Ikitau, 12. Samu Kerevi, 11. Marika Koroibete, 10. Quade Cooper, 9. Tate McDermott, 8. Rob Valetini, 7. Michael Hooper (c), 6. Lachlan Swinton, 5. Matt Philip, 4. Izack Rodda, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 2. Folau Fainga’a, 1. Angus Bell. Replacements: 16. Feleti Kaitu’u, 17. James Slipper, 18. Taniela Tupou, 19. Rob Leota, 20. Pete Samu, 21. Nic White, 22. Reece Hodge, 23. Jordan Petaia.