Captain Harry Wilson led an extraordinary comeback for the Wallabies as they handed the Springboks their first home defeat of the year.

The Australians scored 38 unanswered points, running in six tries at Ellis Park to record a convincing 38-22 win over the Boks, collecting a full-house of points in their Rugby Championship opener.

The Boks looked to have dispelled the notion of being under-cooked going into this Test almost immediately, as it took less than two minutes for them to get on the scoreboard – courtesy of winger Kurt-Lee Arendse after some silky interplay from the Bok backs. Flyhalf Manie Libbok was on song with the conversion, and was then called upon to slot over a penalty kick seven minutes later.

Libbok ➡️ Fassi ➡️ Arendse 🏉

The Springboks kick it into high gear early 🤌

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— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) August 16, 2025

At that point, it was one-way traffic as the Boks launched wave after wave of attack. It then resulted in a beautiful team try, rounded off by centre Andre Esterhuizen. The Ellis Park crowd erupted when just five minutes later, captain Siya Kolisi dived over for the Boks’ third try of the night, which was duly converted by Libbok to take South Africa to a dominant 22-0 lead within the first quarter.

Captain our captain 🫡#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold #RSAvAUS pic.twitter.com/NXXSJoqloV

— Springboks (@Springboks) August 16, 2025

But the Australians showed why they can never be written off. Winger Dylan Pietsch crossed over in the corner in the 29th minute to put the Wallabies on the board. Towards halftime, the Boks gave away a number of penalties at the breakdown, and conceded two turnovers to Wallaby fetcher Fraser McReight. The Wallabies also stole two Bok lineouts in the first half. Try-scorer Pietsch had to leave the field shortly before halftime after injuring his jaw in a collision with Kolisi.

It was the Wallabies who came out the sheds the stronger side, and were rewarded just three minutes into the second half with a try from captain Wilson, which was converted by flyhalf James O’ Connor.

Centre Joseph Suaalii took advantage of a wayward pass from Libbok and cantered in under the posts.

O’Connor’s conversion took them to within just three points.

But that’s not where the bleeding stopped for the Boks. Wilson’s second try as well as five-pointers from winger Max Jorgensen and fullback Tom Wright sealed an impressive win for the Wallabies at altitude.

These two teams go again in Cape Town next Saturday.

Photo: Paul Kane/Getty Images