Australia managed to edge South Africa 42‑38 in a dramatic Test at Perth on Sunday, holding on to a narrow lead even after four of their players were shown yellow cards in the closing eleven minutes. The Wallabies endured the final phase of the match with only eleven men on the field and still managed to see out the victory.
The match was punctuated by a series of controversial decisions from Italian referee Andrea Piardi, who had to reach into his pocket four times within an eight‑minute span. At one point the referee even spoke to his television match official via mobile phone after a technical failure left the usual communication equipment unusable.
The disruption came as the Springboks launched a furious comeback, scoring three tries in quick succession to erase a 25‑point deficit and bring the score within four points. The first dismissal came in the 69th minute when Harry Wilson was shown a yellow card for a high tackle after the incident was reviewed on video. Just two minutes later, Ryan Lonergan received a similar sanction for diving into the back of a ruck; the infringement resulted in a penalty try being awarded to South Africa for a professional foul. The third player to be sent off was Joseph‑Aukuso Suaalii, who was ruled off‑side after a Springboks try was disallowed on review.
Finally, Hunter Paisami was penalised for a high tackle in the buildup to a Tom Wright interception try that was itself overturned – a score that would have extended Australia’s lead to 47‑31 in the 76th minute. With those four players leaving the field, the Wallabies were reduced to eleven men defending an 11‑point advantage with only four minutes left on the clock. Replacement prop Ox Nche managed to cross the try line in the final minute, narrowing the margin to four points.
South Africa had one more opportunity to press forward, but time ran out before they could convert it into a decisive score. "It was a crazy last 10 minutes," Wilson reflected after the match.
"But during the first 70 minutes we executed our game plan exactly as we intended. We stuck to what we wanted to do and it paid off." Head coach Les Kiss, who has now won all five of his Tests in charge of the Wallabies, described the ending as "bizarre". He added, "In those moments you have to keep your composure, stay clear about your objectives and execute.
I think the players did exactly that. But we must not forget the first 60 minutes – that was a crucial step up for us. We controlled the game, showed bravery and attacked when the opportunity arose." South Africa had started the encounter strongly.
Goal‑keeper Johan Grobbelaar crossed for a try and Handre Pollard added a penalty, giving the Springboks a 10‑3 lead within the opening ten minutes. The momentum shifted when Australian centre Len Ikitau scored in the 23rd minute and added a second try just four minutes later, turning the tide in favour of the hosts. Although Edwill van der Merwe crossed for South Africa at the half‑hour mark, Ben Donaldson’s try before the break put Australia ahead 24‑17. In the second half, Wilson added a fourth try for the Wallabies, and Max Jorgensen capitalised on a Springboks error to sprint 60 metres for a try in the 64th minute, extending the lead to 42‑17.
South Africa, playing their first Test since winning the Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand 3‑1, made 13 changes to the side that had beaten 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 key factor in their loss, saying, "They capitalised on all our errors and I think discipline let us down, especially in that first half. We gave them too many opportunities and that really hurt us." Lonergan finished the match as Australia’s top point‑scorer, converting four tries and slotting three penalties for a personal haul of 17 points. The Wallabies’ resilience under pressure, combined with a disciplined execution of their game plan for the majority of the contest, allowed them to secure a memorable victory despite the late‑stage numerical disadvantage. The win not only cements Les Kiss’s perfect record in his first five Tests but also demonstrates Australia’s ability to adapt to adversity.
Playing with a reduced back‑row for the final minutes could have been a recipe for disaster, yet the team’s defensive structure held firm, limiting South Africa’s attacking options and forcing the Springboks into low‑percentage plays as time expired. Analysts will likely point to the early dominance of the Wallabies, their ability to convert pressure into points, and the strategic use of space on the wings as key factors.
Meanwhile, the Springboks will need to address their discipline issues and the impact of frequent yellow cards, which have cost them dearly in this encounter. The match will be remembered for its dramatic swing, the referee’s unusual interventions, and the sheer determination shown by Australia to see out the game with only eleven players on the field.