After a shock defeat to Australia in their Rugby Championship opener, the Springboks will bid to hit back as they face the Wallabies again.
South Africa were stunned by 38 unanswered points from the visitors in Johannesburg as they let a 22-0 lead slip, leading to a week of introspection and anger internally. Rassie Erasmus shuffles his side significantly, with captain Siya Kolisi one of a number of significant injury absentees.
The Wallabies are also shorn of their skipper, Harry Wilson being managed after a bruising affair seven days ago. A hugely positive performance from Joe Schmidt’s side showed the confidence they had built in the British and Irish Lions series with Australia refusing to wilt despite a tricky start and roaring back to secure a famous result at Ellis Park. Can they go again to really establish themselves as tournament contenders?
Follow all of the latest from Cape Town with our live blog below:
South Africa vs Australia live
- South Africa take on Australia in the Rugby Championship | Live on Sky Sports
- Wallabies produced stunning comeback to upset Springboks last week
- Both sides are missing their regular captains with Siya Kolisi and Harry WIlson injured
- 8′ – Corey Toole dashes in to give Australia lead (RSA 6-7 AUS)
- 10′ – Canan Moodie hits back for Springboks (RSA 13-7 AUS)
South Africa 13-7 Australia
16:39 , Ciara Fearn23 mins: Referee James Doleman correctly penalises Smith for trying a second time to steal the ball after his initial attempt failed, a fair decision.
From just outside the South African 22, O’Connor kicks for the corner.
The Springboks earn a vital turnover only five metres from their own line thanks to strong work at the breakdown.
South Africa 13-7 Australia
16:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s been a hard-fought start in Cape Town.
South Africa 13-7 Australia
16:34 , Ciara Fearn18 mins: Australia are forced back but McDermott bursts forward to reach the edge of the Springbok 22.
However, Van Staden is quick to the breakdown securing a penalty for the home side.
South Africa 13-7 Australia
16:32 , Ciara Fearn15 mins: Australia win a penalty just outside the Springbok 22 after the home side failed to stay on their feet at the breakdown.
Van Staden is guilty of a clear infringement but escapes a yellow card despite the cynical nature of the foul. O’Connor opts to forgo the straightforward three points and instead aims for the corner.
South Africa 13-7 Australia
16:29 , Ciara Fearn13 mins: The Wallabies make another early adjustment in the forwards with McDermott coming on to replace White.
Australia appeared to score their second try, but it is ruled out. Kellaway’s knock-on while tackling Pollard nullifies McReight’s grounding, so the effort doesn’t count.
Try! South Africa (Moodie) 13-7 Australia
16:27 , Ciara Fearn10 mins: The Wallabies lead didn’t last long! The Springboks win a turnover deep in Wallaby territory and after a few powerful carries from the forwards shift it wide.
Pollard spots the space and delivers a crossfield kick which Moodie collects on the bounce to finish. Pollard converts, and South Africa are back out to a six-point lead.
Try! South Africa 6-7 Australia (Toole)
16:24 , Ciara Fearn7 mins: Corey Toole gets it over the line during his debut for the Wallabies.
Australia show sharp thinking to catch the Springboks off guard. From a free-kick won at the scrum inside the home side’s half, White takes a quick tap and chips a grubber into the 22.
Toole’s blistering pace does the rest, racing onto the ball and grounding it in the corner. O’Connor adds the extras, and the Wallabies move in front.
Penalty! South Africa (Pollard) 6-0 Australia
16:22 , Ciara Fearn6 mins: From about 40 metres out Pollard strikes cleanly and adds three more, stretching South Africa’s lead to six.
South Africa look threatening.
South Africa 3-0 Australia
16:20 , Ciara Fearn5 mins: Following an Australian knock-on close to their own 10-metre line the Springbok pack powers through at the scrum.
They threaten to score under penalty advantage but can’t finish it off, so play comes back for the original infringement. South Africa opt for the posts again.
South Africa 3-0 Australia
16:18 , Ciara Fearn4 mins: There’s potential early worries here for Australia as Wright requires treatment on his lower leg. He eventually gets back up, but he’s clearly moving with some discomfort.
Penalty! South Africa (Pollard) 3-0 Australia
16:16 , Ciara Fearn3 mins: Handre Pollard makes no mistake with the kick giving South Africa an early advantage.
South Africa 0-0 Australia
16:15 , Ciara Fearn2 mins: The opening penalty falls to the Springboks after Wright is caught holding on just outside his own 22. Pollard has a straightforward shot at goal and the hosts immediately signal for the posts.
Kick-off!
16:13 , Ciara FearnAnd we’re underway Handre Pollard kicks things off in Cape Town. Can the Springboks strike back, or will the Wallabies make it two wins from two?
Kick-off is approaching..
16:10 , Ciara FearnThe teams step out of the tunnel in Cape Town, the Wallabies first with McReight making his debut as their 91st Test captain, followed by the Springboks under Kriel’s leadership.
Now time for the anthems.
Final prep is underway with minutes to go now
16:05 , Ciara Fearn
The hosts arriving earlier today..
15:55 , Ciara Fearn
South Africa vs Australia match officials
15:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Here are the men in charge this afternoon:
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Andrew Brace (Ireland) & Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Television Match Official: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)
Foul Play Review Officer: Tual Trainini (Fra)
Stand-in skipper Fraser McReight to lead in his own way
15:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Stand-in Australia captain Fraser McReight does not expect his new responsibilities to change his approach and style when he leads his country against South Africa in the Rugby Championship on Saturday.
The flanker takes over from the injured Harry Wilson as skipper, with coach Joe Schmidt hailing him a “quiet leader” when appointing him the Wallabies’ 91st captain on Thursday.
“I feel very privileged and honoured to be captain this week, although I’d probably say I’d rather be playing with Harry and for him to be leading us out,” McReight told a Friday press conference at their hotel.
“But I also feel very proud to be part of a special club.”
The 26-year-old, a former Australia under-20 captain, said it would be business as usual for him at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
“It probably won’t change too much from what I’d be doing if Harry was playing. I’ll let my game do most of the talking, try to get to the referee when I can, but other than that, just do what I normally do,” he added.
“We’ve got such great leaders in this team. Before this weekend, we had James Slipper, who’s played almost 150 tests (but is injured); Nic White, James O’Connor, Will Skelton … blokes who have been around for so long.
“I don’t really need to speak. If I do, it would be about defence, and we’ve got so many great defenders and defensive leaders within the team as well.”
Team news – Australia
15:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Australia have also lost their captain, with Harry Wilson being “managed” after limping off in Johannesburg. Back row chum Fraser McReight takes over as skipper with Rob Valetini a welcome returnee in the back row. James
Wing Corey Toole steps in for Dylan Pietsch, who has broken his jaw, and will make his debut in an otherwise unchanged backline once more featuring veteran fly half James O’Connor.
Australia XV: 1 Tom Robertson, 2 Billy Pollard, 3 Taniela Tupou; 4 Nick Frost, 5 Will Skelton; 6 Tom Hooper, 7 Fraser McReight (capt.), 8 Rob Valetini; 9 Nic White, 10 James O’Connor; 11 Corey Toole, 12 Len Ikitau, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14 Max Jorgensen; 15 Tom Wright.
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.
Team news – South Africa
15:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle
South Africa lost skipper Siya Kolisi and fellow flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit to injury in a significant double blow last week, while wings Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe have been ruled out, too. Centre Jesse Kriel captains a much-changed side in an experienced backline steered by a returning Handre Pollard at fly half.
Franco Mostert is stationed on the blindside and Jean-Luc du Preez makes his first Springboks start in seven years at No 8. There are six forwards on a bulky bench.
South Africa XV: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Thomas du Toit; 4 RG Snyman, 5 Ruan Nortje; 6 Marco van Staden, 7 Franco Mostert, 8 Jean-Luc du Preez; 9 Grant Williams, 10 Handre Pollard; 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel (capt.), 14 Canan Moodie; 15 Aphelele Fassi.
Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Lood de Jager, 21 Kwagga Smith; 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
South Africa vs Australia
15:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Right, kick off is little more than an hour away – let’s take a closer look at the two sides this evening, with new skippers in both camps…
Springboks and Japan to play first rugby union match at Wembley in nine years
15:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The Springboks have added an extra game to their autumn itinerary, the 10-year anniversary of Japan’s remarkable upset win in the 2015 World Cup marked by a fixture between the pair at Wembley – the first rugby union fixture at the ground since 2016.
Eddie Jones reveals Springboks theory over historic Wallabies victory
14:50 , Ciara Fearn
Australia’s comeback win in Johannesburg was remarkable, but Eddie Jones insists it tells us little about South Africa’s true level, arguing Rassie Erasmus had already set his sights on the Cape Town Test.
The Wallabies’ 38-22 victory at Ellis Park last weekend was by any measure extraordinary. Trailing 22-0 and seemingly buried, Joe Schmidt’s side surged back with six unanswered tries to claim their first win at the famous venue in 62 years. For South Africa it was a shock to the system after an eight-match winning run.
The Japan boss suggested the result needs context. Speaking on the Rugby Unity podcast, Jones pointed out Erasmus had locked in the second-Test team in advance, calling it a common tactic with a large squad.
Will Skelton braced for Springboks backlash
14:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The Wallabies are bracing for a violent backlash from the Springboks in the second Rugby Championship clash in Cape Town today after their stunning upset of the Springboks at Ellis Park.
Australia’s recovery from an early 22-0 deficit to post a first win since 1963 at the crucible of South African rugby on Sunday left many back home just as incredulous as the fans of the back-to-back world champions.
Wallabies lock Will Skelton, however, said the 38-22 victory would mean only one thing when the teams clashed again at Newlands in the second round of the Rugby Championship.
“They’re going to try and punch you in the face this week,” he told reporters from South Africa. “So we’re going to have to be ready, have a good week of preparation again and really fight until the end.”
Springboks dealt huge injury blow as Siya Kolisi ruled out of second Australia clash
14:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The Springboks then received some significant injury news – Siya Kolisi is set for three-to-four weeks on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury in Johannesburg.
Furious Rassie Erasmus slams Springboks performance after Australia defeat: ‘We were really awful’
14:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The collapse from 22-0 up last week infuriated and perhaps confused Rassie Erasmus, the sort of showing we are not used to seeing from the world champion Springboks.
Australia stun South Africa with incredible comeback in Rugby Championship opener
14:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle
At 22-0 in a ground at which they had not won since 1963, Australia might have been fearing the worst. But 38 unanswered points sealed a sensational comeback victory to prove the progress the Wallabies are making:
Jean-Luc du Preez ruled out!
09:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It was hard not to be very pleased for Jean-Luc du Preez, named in a starting Springboks shirt for the first time in a long while. The back row was excellent for Sale during his seven seasons with the Sharks but has really had to earn his return to the South Africa side with such competition for places in the back five of their pack.
“Your mind is a powerful thing – there were times that I thought I should give up hope, but I would never be able to do that,” said Du Preez this week ahead of his first start in seven years.
“Yes, it took some time to start again, but then again, I can never take it for granted. When you get a shot, you must take it.
“I did a lot of prep and worked hard, and so much has changed. I’m just so thankful for the opportunity to get a run on Saturday and to represent my country again.”
Ah, scratch that – a late blow for the Springboks with Jean-Luc du Preez ruled out and Kwagga Smith taking his place. Andre Esterhuizen comes on to the bench
South Africa vs Australia live
07:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The second round of the Rugby Championship is upon us, the Springboks bidding to hit back having been stunned by the Wallabies in Johannesburg seven days ago as they squandered a 22-0 lead to leave Rassie Erasmus ticking. Can Australia repeat the trick, or will there be a ‘Boks backlash?
Kick off is at 4.10pm BST.
