By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Wallabies have stunned the world champion Springboks for the second time in two weeks with a 30-17 win in Brisbane.
Len Ikitau scored two first half tries and Marika Koroibete crossed for two in the second half as Australia completed back-to-back victories over world champions South Africa.
The Wallabies needed a last minute penalty from recalled flyhalf Quade Cooper last Sunday for a 28-26 win on the Gold Coast, but led for most of the match at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium and picked up a Rugby Championship bonus point for scoring four tries to one.
It was a memorable win for Michael Hooper to mark his record for most caps as captain of the Wallabies.
His 60th Test as Australia skipper is one more than former scrumhalf George Gregan’s mark.
The consecutive wins over South Africa netted the Mandela Plate and were a boost for the Australians following three losses to the All Blacks, who lead the Rugby Championship ahead of their test later tonight against Argentina.
The Australians led 15-12 at halftime with Ikitau scoring twice for the Wallabies and Handre Pollard landing four penalties from four attempts.
Both teams gave up a one man advantage in the opening half, with Springboks scrumhalf Faf de Klerk yellow carded for a cynical foul while the Australians were in an attacking position early and Wallabies flanker Lachie Swinton sinbinned for his shoulder-on-shoulder contact with No.8 Duane Vermeulen before their heads collided in the 33rd minute.
South Africa went ahead 17-15 less than two minutes into the second half with de Klerk orchestrating the attack.
The veteran scrumhalf took a quick tap from a penalty to put the defense on the back foot and later sent a perfectly weighted grubber kick down the blindside from the ruck base for Lukhanyo Am to score the try.
The 33-year-old Cooper, playing in only his second Test since 2017, got up after treatment in the 50th after collecting a finger in the eye to kick the penalty that restored Australia’s lead, 18-17.
And then winger Koroibete broke open the game with a pair of quick tries.
He crossed in the 62nd after a stunning lead-up work from tighthead prop Taniela Tupou, who surged down the left sideline, drew the defence and then, without looking, passed from his right hand under his left armpit to his flying winger in support.
Cooper converted to make it 25-17 and Koroibete dived into the left corner five minutes later, after a midfield burst from replacement backrower Pete Samu, to give Australia a 13 point lead.
“We were really beaten,” said South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber.
“We got hands down beaten in everything – defence, kicking game, attack. This isn’t a performance that was worthy enough for a Springboks performance.”
Australia is still in contention in the Rugby Championship, which is into the second week of four straight doubleheaders.
Meanwhile New Zealand reclaimed top spot in the world rankings after beating Argentina.
The All Blacks are now 10 points clear in the Rugby Championship table having won all four of their games while Australia move up to third, one point behind South Africa.
New Zealand’s win saw them leapfrog the Springboks into top spot prior to their meeting in Townsville next week.
In addition to leapfrogging South Africa in the rankings, New Zealand closed in on their 18th title with a 36-13 bonus-point success over an improved Argentina in the second of Saturday’s double-header at Suncorp Stadium.
Despite coach Ian Foster having made 11 changes from last week’s 39-0 win over the Pumas, the All Blacks were too strong for the South Americans with tries from Patrick Tuipulotu, TJ Perenara, Tupou Vaa’i (2) and Samisoni Taukei’aho enough to secure another dominant victory.
South Africa must defeat New Zealand twice and pile on the tries in their last two matches to earn bonus points and have any hope of stealing the silverware away from the All Blacks.