Australia managed to edge out South Africa 42-38 in a dramatic test match at Perth on Sunday, holding on to victory even after four of their players were shown yellow cards in the closing eleven minutes, leaving the Wallabies to defend their lead with just eleven men on the field. The match was marked by a flurry of disciplinary incidents and a frantic final period that tested both teams' composure.
The Italian referee, Andrea Piardi, found himself reaching for his pocket repeatedly during the last eight minutes of the game. At one point the communication link with his television match official failed, prompting Piardi to call the official on his mobile phone while the Springboks were mounting a comeback that saw them score three tries in quick succession, shrinking a 25‑point deficit to just four points.
The first dismissal came in the 69th minute when Harry Wilson was shown a yellow card for a high tackle after the on‑field referee referred the incident to the video referee. Two minutes later, Ryan Lonergan was also sin‑binned after diving into the back of a ruck; the infringement was deemed a professional foul and South Africa were awarded a penalty try. The third player to leave the field was Joseph‑Aukuso Suaalii, whose off‑side position was confirmed on review following a Springboks try that had initially been ruled out.
The fourth and final yellow card was given to Hunter Paisami for a high tackle that occurred in the build‑up to a Tom Wright interception try. That try itself was subsequently overturned, denying Australia a potential 47‑31 lead in the 76th minute. With those four players sent to the sin‑bin, the Wallabies were reduced to eleven men for the remaining four minutes, tasked with protecting an 11‑point advantage.
Replacement prop Ox Nche entered the field in the dying seconds and managed to cross for a conversion that narrowed the margin to four points. South Africa pressed forward for one last surge, but time expired before they could overturn the result.
"It was a crazy last 10 minutes," Wilson reflected after the match. "But in the first 70 minutes we executed our game plan exactly as we intended. We did what we set out to do." Head coach Les Kiss, who has now secured victories in all five of his test matches in charge, described the closing stages as "bizarre".
He added, "In those moments you have to keep your nerve, stay focused on what you want to achieve, and I think the players did just that. But we must not forget the first 60 minutes – that was a crucial step forward for us. We controlled the game, showed bravery, and attacked with purpose." South Africa started the encounter strongly. Goal‑keeper Johan Grobbelaar crossed the try line and converted, while Handre Pollard added a penalty, giving the Springboks a 10‑3 lead inside the first ten minutes.
However, centre Len Ikitau turned the tide for the hosts, scoring in the 23rd minute and adding a second try just four minutes later. Although Edwill van der Merwe crossed for South Africa at the half‑hour mark, Ben Donaldson's try before the break pushed Australia ahead 24‑17. In the second half, Wilson added a fourth try for the Wallabies, extending the lead. Max Jorgensen then capitalised on a South African error, sprinting 60 metres to score in the 64th minute and taking the scoreboard to 42‑17.
The Springboks entered the match fresh from a series victory over New Zealand, having won the Greatest Rivalry 3‑1. Coach Rassie Erasmus made a sweeping overhaul, introducing 13 new faces to the side that had defeated the All Blacks 43‑28 in Baltimore two weeks earlier. Only Eben Etzebeth and Ethan Hooker retained their places. Springboks captain Andre Esterhuizen admitted that discipline had been a major issue for his side, especially in the first half.
"We gave away too many penalties and that really hurt us," he said. "We need to be more disciplined and limit the errors that give the opposition easy points." Lonergan finished the match as Australia's top scorer, contributing 17 points from four conversions and three penalty kicks.
His reliable boot helped seal a memorable win for the Wallabies, who demonstrated resilience under pressure and the ability to protect a lead even when reduced in numbers. Overall, the game will be remembered for its chaotic ending, the series of yellow cards that left Australia shorthanded, and the steadfastness of a team that refused to relinquish its advantage. The victory adds another chapter to Australia's recent resurgence under Les Kiss, while South Africa will look to tighten their discipline and regroup ahead of future tests.