The Springboks avoided back-to-back defeats against Australia with a narrow win at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
The Springboks led 20-10 at half-time and had to withstand a tremendous fightback by their opponents in the second stanza, eventually triumphing 30-22.
The home side picked up four points for their victory, while Australia left empty-handed.
The win wasn’t enough for the Springboks to regain their No 1 World Rugby ranking, but they did rise from third to second place.
The Springboks will have next weekend off before back-to-back matches against the All Blacks in New Zealand.
More to follow …
TEAMS
South Africa
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Kwagga Smith, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 RG Snyman,3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Lood de Jager, 21 Andre Esterhuizen, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Australia
15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Akuso Suaalii, 12 Len Iketau, 11 Corey Toole, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 Tom Robertson
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Andrew Kellaway
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
TMO: Richard Kelly (Australia)
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