Jacques van der Westhuyzen

By Jacques van der Westhuyzen

Head of Sport


Boks beat Wallabies 33-7 to get Rugby Champs off to winning start — LIVE

The world champion Springboks were way too good for a Wallabies team that were on the back foot for most of the 80 minutes.


The Springboks scored five tries to the one by the Wallabies to get their Rugby Championship campaign off to the perfect start in Brisbane on Saturday.

The world champions won 33-7 to bank a bonus point win while they also recorded just their second win in Brisbane in 13 matches.

The Boks dominated all aspects of the game and only lost their way somewhat towards the latter stages when they were reduced to playing with 14, and then 13, men. At this stage, Australia got on top and scored their only try of the match.

Before then, the Boks scored three tries in a dominant first half — through Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Kurt-Lee Arendse.

In the second half Arendse scored his second, along with Kwagga Smith also going over.

Below is how The Citizen reported on the match.

Wallabies v Springboks: Live updates

Live updates of the action in Brisbane will appear below. For latest posts please click the refresh button.

Bok boss Rassie Erasmus had surprised by picking four-Test rookie Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at flyhalf for the match, while Elrigh Louw started in the No 8 jersey.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu enjoyed a good first start at Test level, as did Louw, but the standout performers were Du Toit, who started at lock, after RG Snyman pulled out before the game with an injury, Cobus Reinach, Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe and Arendse.

With Snyman withdrawing from the lineup it meant more changes up front, which allowed Ben-Jason Dixon to start at seven flank, and Salmaan Moerat coming onto the bench.

The Boks take on the Wallabies again next week, in Perth.

TEAMS

Australia: Tom Wright; Andrew Kellaway, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu; Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon; Harry Wilson, Carlo Tizzano, Rob Valetini; Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Nick Frost, Allan Alaalatoa, Matt Faessler, Issac Kailea. Bench: Josh Nasser, James Slipper, Zane Nonggorr, Luke Reimer, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Dylan Pietsch

South Africa: Willie le Roux; Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach; Elrigh Louw, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain); RG Snyman, Eben Etzebeth; Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche. Bench: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Ben-Jason Dixon, Marco van Staden, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Handre Pollard

For more news your way

Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.