Beers and some homework: How the Wallabies celebrated a 62-year first
However sober, the celebrations were well deserved for the Wallabies after they stunned the world to beat the back-to-back world champions at high altitude in Johannesburg, coming from 22-0 behind after and scoring six unanswered tries to finish with a 38-22 win.
It was the second-biggest comeback Test win ever by the Wallabies, and Australia's first victory over South Africa at Ellis Park since 1963. Captain Harry Wilson scored two tries in an inspirational performance before coming off with a knee injury, but he will remain with the side as they head to Cape Town for a second Rugby Championship clash.
The win came at a cost, however, with Dylan Pietsch undergoing surgery on a broken jaw and James Slipper (HIA) to head home, along with Ben Donaldson (abductor). Rhys Van Nek, Hamish Stewart and Filip Daugunu will all fly to Cape Town.
Wallabies lock Will Skelton said the Australian dressing rooms had a special buzz at Ellis Park, with former skipper George Gregan even popping in to toast the team.
'We got around each other last night,' Skelton said.
'Just the way to fight back there. The first 20 - it was tough, even watching it back, there was a lot to look at. But yeah ... the end result, what a feeling, what a game, and what a place to do it.'
Veteran five-eighth James O'Connor said breaking the 62-year drought was a moment of pride, but the celebrations were relatively muted. The on-field part was due to all the players being exhausted, and post-match, attention quickly turned to the second part of the mission - to beat the Boks again in Cape Town.
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