Wallabies stun Springboks with first Ellis Park win in 62 Years
The Wallabies' physical power from Will Skelton, Tom Hooper and Taniela Tupou that was so impressive in the third Test against the Lions appeared blunted by a South African team with rapid line speed and chop tackles.
At the toughest moments for the Wallabies under Schmidt, there are always players who continue to fight back. At inside centre Len Ikitau was the spark that Australia desperately needed.
Ikitau did brilliantly to find a rare attacking opportunity after an offload from James O'Connor to send in Dylan Pietsch for a try to briefly quell South Africa's surging momentum just before half-time. With the score at 22-5, it appeared little more than a consolation prize. How little we knew.
The South African bomb squad has gained infamy for its ruthless power and efficiency off the bench. Angus Bell's impact from his first brutal carry at the start of the second half after coming on as a replacement sent shockwaves through the Springbok defence.
Bell then released a beautifully timed pass to set Harry Wilson through an uncharacteristically wide gap in the South African defence to score his side's second try.
Suaalii had endured a tough afternoon in Johannesburg, struggling in defence and starved of possession, but he made a brilliant read to intercept a long pass from South Africa five-eighth Manie Libbok and score under the posts. After O'Connor's conversion, the lead was reduced to just three points with twenty minutes to go. It seemed barely believable- because it was.
Wright's early nerves were shredded as he became the Wallabies' main attacking threat alongside Max Jorgensen. The Brumbies fullback sprinted through the broken field with a hobbling Wilson following him to score his second try to send the Wallabies into a lead. Wilson was taken off with clutching his knee and will face a nervous wait to see the full extent of the damage.
It is easy to forget that Jorgensen is merely 20 years old, given his position as one of the world's best wingers. In defence, he was ruthless and brave, frequently chopping down the huge frame of Du Toit. In attack, he was tireless and his efforts were rewarded with a magical try after stepping Libbok to give the Wallabies a 10-point lead with 13 points left in the game, completely silencing the stunned Ellis Park crowd.
Wright scored a try of his own to put the game beyond reach and finally follow the heroes of 1963 with the Wallabies' second win ever at Ellis Park.
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Sydney Morning Herald
14 minutes ago
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Beers and some homework: How the Wallabies celebrated a 62-year first
They claimed a golden piece of Australian rugby history with the first victory at Ellis Park in 62 years, but the Wallabies mixed celebratory drinks with laptop reviews on Sunday as they brace for a 'brutal' response from the wounded Springboks in Cape Town next weekend. 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.
The Age
14 minutes ago
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Beers and some homework: How the Wallabies celebrated a 62-year first
They claimed a golden piece of Australian rugby history with the first victory at Ellis Park in 62 years, but the Wallabies mixed celebratory drinks with laptop reviews on Sunday as they brace for a 'brutal' response from the wounded Springboks in Cape Town next weekend. 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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