Australia managed to edge out South Africa 42-38 in a dramatic Test match at Perth’s HBF Park on Sunday, holding on for the win even after four of their players were sent to the sin‑bin in the closing 11 minutes. The Wallabies finished the game with just 11 men on the field, yet they survived the final onslaught and preserved a narrow eleven‑point lead to claim a memorable triumph. The match was overseen by Italian referee Andrea Piardi, who found himself reaching for his pocket on four separate occasions within an eight‑minute span.
At one point the communication system with his television match official broke down, forcing Piardi to place a quick phone call to discuss a critical decision as the Springboks surged back, converting three tries to shrink 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 incident was reviewed on video. Just two minutes later, Ryan Lonergan was also sent to the sin‑bin for diving into the back of a ruck, a professional foul that resulted in a penalty try being awarded to South Africa. The third player, Joseph‑Aukuso Suaalii, was caught offside on review after a Springboks try had been disallowed, leading to his temporary expulsion.
Finally, Hunter Paisami received a yellow card for a high tackle during the build‑up to a Tom Wright interception try; that try was subsequently overturned, denying Australia what would have been a 47‑31 lead in the 76th minute. With those four men off the field, the Wallabies were left to defend an 11‑point advantage for the remaining four minutes of regular time. Replacement prop Ox Nche entered the fray in the final minute and managed to score a try, cutting the margin to four points.
South Africa pressed for one more attack, but the clock 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 stuck to our game plan, executed exactly what we wanted, and that carried us through." Australia’s head coach Les Kiss, who has now won all five of his Tests in charge, described the ending as "bizarre" but praised his side’s composure.
"In those moments you have to keep your nerve and stay clear about what you want to do, and I think the players did that," Kiss said. "But we must not forget the first 60 minutes – that was a huge step forward for us. We controlled the game, were brave, and attacked when the opportunity arose." South Africa began the encounter strongly.
Goal‑keeper Johan Grobbelaar crossed the line for a converted try, and a penalty from Handre Pollard put the Springboks ahead 10-3 inside the first ten minutes. However, the momentum shifted when Australian centre Len Ikitau broke through for a try in the 23rd minute and added another just four minutes later.
Although South Africa’s Edwill van der Merwe found the line at the half‑hour mark, Australia responded with a Ben Donaldson try before the break, taking a 24-17 lead into the interval. In the second half, Wilson added a fourth try for the Wallabies, extending the margin. Then, in the 64th minute, Max Jorgensen capitalised on a South African error, sprinting 60 metres to score, which pushed the score to 42-17.
The Springboks, fresh from winning the Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand 3‑1, fielded a heavily altered side – Rassie Erasmus made 13 changes from the squad that had beaten the All Blacks 43-28 in Baltimore two weeks earlier. Only veteran lock Eben Etzebeth and young centre Ethan Hooker retained their places. Springboks captain Andre Esterhuizen lamented his team’s lack of discipline, especially in the first half.
"They capitalised on all our errors and I think discipline let us down, particularly early on. We gave them too many opportunities and that hurt us," he said. Lonergan finished the match as Australia’s top point‑scorer, contributing 17 points from four conversions and three penalty kicks.
The Wallabies’ resilience under pressure, combined with a solid first‑half performance and the ability to absorb the late setbacks, secured a thrilling victory that will be remembered for its unusual conclusion and the sheer determination displayed by a side that finished with fewer players on the pitch. Overall, the game highlighted the fine margins in international rugby: a strong start, disciplined execution, and the capacity to stay composed when the odds shift dramatically.
For Australia, the win not only adds another successful chapter to Les Kiss’s unbeaten run but also demonstrates that even when reduced to 11 men, a well‑drilled team can hold its nerve and see out a match against a formidable opponent like South Africa.