Australia's Will Genia runs with the ball. AAP/Darren England/via REUTERS

Home » Australia Beats Springboks in Tight Match

Australia Beats Springboks in Tight Match

Australia managed to crack their first win of the Rugby Championship with a 23-18 victory against South Africa in Brisbane, Queensland, on Saturday. For a change the Springboks were leading (just) at half-time… but the Australians managed to work hard at Lang Park and secure the win, breaking their four-match losing streak. In an exciting […]

By SAPeople
08-09-18 23:05
in Eish!
Australia's Will Genia runs with the ball. AAP/Darren England/via REUTERS

Australia managed to crack their first win of the Rugby Championship with a 23-18 victory against South Africa in Brisbane, Queensland, on Saturday.

Australia’s Will Genia runs with the ball.
AAP/Darren England/via REUTERS

For a change the Springboks were leading (just) at half-time… but the Australians managed to work hard at Lang Park and secure the win, breaking their four-match losing streak.

In an exciting last few minutes, the Springboks almost managed to fight back with a try which would’ve won South Africa the match… but Australia went the extra mile to defend; and the television officials adjudged the ball had been knocked on in the lead up to the try, according to Reuters.

Aussie captain Michael Hooper said: “It was tight!”

He praised the South Africans, saying: “”We knew it would be that way. We knew they would come out firing. It was a good game, back and forth a lot…”

It was tries from hooker Bongi Mbonambi and winger Makazole Mapimpi that helped to give South Africa the 18-17 lead at halftime, as well as a conversion and two penalties from Elton Jantjies…. but SA didn’t manage to add anything to the scoreboard after half-time.

“We made it tough for ourselves by not taking our opportunities again,” said Springbok captain Siya Kolisi.

“Australia played really well and they took their opportunities. At this level you have to take the opportunities when you get them.”