South Africa vs Australia live: Result and reaction as Springboks hit back to revive Rugby Championship hopes

South Africa made 96 carries compared to Australia’s 100, while the Wallabies were slightly more successful in breaking the defensive line with six line breaks to the Springboks’ three.

South Africa lost 17 turnovers and conceded nine penalties while Australia lost 15 turnovers and gave away six penalties. Defensively, the Springboks were busier making 129 tackles to Australia’s 114, but also missed 30 attempts compared to the Wallabies’ 15.

South Africa edged it with stronger defensive work and key moments of clinical execution.

South Africa are far into the Australian 22, but Etzebeth’s pass to Kriel is off target and the ball goes into touch.

Full-time in Cape Town and after a tense second half, South Africa emerge victorious defeating Australia 30-22.

79 mins: Referee James Doleman initially signals just a knock-on, but the TMO correctly upgrades it to a yellow card for deliberate infringement. Australia opt for a kick at goal once again.

O’Connor misses his third crucial kick of the game.

77 mins: The TMO intervenes and awards Australia a penalty for a high tackle by Feinberg-Mngomezulu on Edmed.

With just three minutes remaining the Wallabies opt for a kick at goal from the edge of the Springbok 22 aiming to cut the deficit to a single score.

Unfortunately, O’Connor misses the penalty.

76 mins: Australia remain in pursuit probing on the edge of the Springbok 22, but Kolbe earns a penalty for the home side at the breakdown after the visitors are caught holding on.

73 mins: The Springbok forwards take control and earn a penalty advantage… Etzebeth grounds the ball from close range.

Pollard adds the conversion stretching the lead to two scores.

72 mins: Kellaway makes a costly error knocking on deep inside his own 22.

The pass from O’Connor was slightly low, but it seems like a momentary lapse in focus. It hands the Springboks a prime opportunity.

67 mins: The maul is stopped just short, but Paenga-Amosa stretches to dot down. O’Connor’s conversion attempt is messy and drifts wide, leaving the Springboks ahead by a single point.

67 mins: Australia are controlling the ball on the edge of the Springbok 22 and earn a penalty after Etzebeth is penalised for being offside. O’Connor kicks towards the corner.

South Africa make an unexpected change as Esterhuizen not originally named in the matchday 23 replaces Mostert.

64 mins: Toole twists free from a tackle just outside his own 22 and charges into Springbok territory.

He puts up a chip into the 22 and almost reaches it, but Pollard gets a crucial touch first. The ball spills loose and Kellaway scoops it up only to be stopped five metres from the line by Fassi who quickly recovers to force a knock-on at the breakdown.