Springboks vs Australia – As it happened

13.53

It’s full-time!

SPRINGBOKS 23 – AUSTRALIA 23

Good fightback from the Boks after being 10-20 down. But it’s gonna feel like kissing sisters in Perth tonight!

Jesse Kriel with a vital knock-on when a try was on. Oh dear.

13.49

There have been some shockers in this game.

13.47

The man just came on before he has to go off for blood…

13.44

13.41

Hmmm….

13.39

SPRINGBOKS 23 – AUSTRALIA 23 (Penalty Bernard Foley)

The lead doesn’t last long as Francois Hougaard tackles Will Genia without the ball. It’s all square again.

13.37

SPRINGBOKS 23 – AUSTRALIA 20 (Penalty Elton Jantjies)

Siya Kolisi and Jesse Kriel combine on the counter before Jaco Kriel knocks on close to the line. But the Springbok scrum roars to force the penalty. Jantjies converts.

13.34

The mainstay of the loose trio is starting to warm up.

13.29

13.27

SPRINGBOKS 20 – AUSTRALIA 20 (Try Malcolm Marx)

The Boks have responded well! It seems the bench is making a difference already. Solid line-out from leads to a rampaging maul which allows Malcolm Marx to dot down.

13.20

SPRINGBOKS 13 – AUSTRALIA 20 (Penalty Elton Jantjies)

The Boks find some attacking structure without actually making metres. But the Wallaby defence eventually concedes. Jantjies keep them in the frame.

13.18

Indeed, he really should’ve passed after a good break. 5 points goes a begging for the Boks.

13.15

The Springboks can’t afford their captain to lose his cool.

13.12

SPRINGBOKS 10 – AUSTRALIA 20 (Try Tatafu Polota-Nau)

It all started with Elton Jantjies hold onto the ball too long. The Wallabies launch a sustained attack on the Boks’ line. Initially they survive a cross kick that Israel Folau just misses out on. But the maul from the resulting penalty sees the Wallabies score. Deservedly so.

12.59 

The half-time stats paint a gloomy picture for the Springboks.

35% possesion

41% territory

A pitiful 65m gained (in contrast to Australia’s 381)

67 tackles made already.

This isn’t counterattacking rugby, this is merely a team allowing opponents to rule proceedings.

12.57

It’s actually not all that funny…

12.52

SPRINGBOKS 10 – AUSTRALIA 13 (Penalty Bernard Foley)

And that’s half-time. South Africa concede late after Jantjies’ error. This has been the Springboks’ worst half of rugby in 2017 by far!

12.50

Just as Elton Jantjies misses a penalty kick to touch.

12.49

12.48

A damning but justified comment…

12.41

12.38

SPRINGBOKS 10 – AUSTRALIA 10 (Try Kurtley Beale)

South Africa fluff their lead immediately! Israel Folau taps back the kick-off, where he finds lock Adam Coleman. The momentum allows Kurtley Beale to ghost through the defence.

12.35

SPRINGBOKS 10 – AUSTRALIA 3 (Try Jesse Kriel)

Superb steal by Pieter-Steph du Toit frees up Ross Cronje, who finds Jesse Kriel. He kicks forward and Wallaby skipper Michael Hooper messes up his clean up. Kriel is there to score the try. Jantjies kicks a fine conversion.

12.34

12.29

12.27

A former Bok prop weighs in on the Springboks’ scrum troubles.

12.26

It’s not been a particularly good start for referee Glen Jackson. He’s missed a skew throw at a line-out and probably should’ve awarded a penalty after Andries Coetzee was taken out in the air.

12.16

It’s seems that way…

12.14

SPRINGBOKS 3 – AUSTRALIA 3 (Penalty Bernard Foley)

After Andries Coetzee kicks out of the full, Uzair Cassiem doesn’t roll away after a tackle (though it seemed he was stuck) and the Wallabies level things up.

12.12

SPRINGBOKS 3 – AUSTRALIA 0 (Penalty Elton Jantjies)

Brilliant work from Pieter-Steph du Toit to affect a turnover at the breakdown. The Wallabies drive early in the resulting line-out and Elton Jantjies is accurate.

12.1o

Inauspicious start for Wallaby flyhalf Bernard Foley. His kick-off barely travels 5m.

12.03

It’s time for the national anthems.

11.56

11.51

11.48

In case you missed it, here’s the Springboks’ match squad:

Andries Coetzee, Raymond Rhule, Jesse Kriel, Jan Serfontein, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Uzair Cassiem, Jaco Kriel, Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth (c), Coenie Oosthuizen, Malcolm Marx, Beast Mtawarira. Bench: Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff, Trevor Nyakane, Lood de Jager, Jean-Luc du Preez, Francois Hougaard, Handre Pollard, Damian de Allende.

11.45

11.40

This is how close it’s been between the Springboks and Wallabies over the years. But should it really be the case?

11.27

The Springboks have arrived.

11.23

Former Springboks flanker and tourist in 2000, Thando Manana, has been in the news this week. He watched the All Blacks closely….

11.22

This shouldn’t really make any difference to the game but the Wallabies seem excited over it….

11.20

An Olympic champion is behind the Boks … and boxer Kevin Lerena.

11.19

11.15

Meanwhile, it seems as if the All Blacks will win in New Plymouth despite not playing particularly well.

11.10

The Springboks have a bit of a love-hate relationship with Perth, where this game is taking place. In fact, South Africa have only three of their eight Tests there. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.

11.10

Welcome to The Citizen’s live coverage of the Rugby Championship Test between the Springboks and the Wallabies.