Springbok captain Siya Kolisi cut a dejected figure after South Africa’s dramatic collapse against the Wallabies at Ellis Park on Saturday.

The Boks blew a 22-point lead and were shut out for more than three quarters of the game as Australia stormed back with six tries to claim a famous 38-22 victory at altitude. The Wallabies not only stunned Johannesburg, but also walked away with a full house of log points to boost their Rugby Championship campaign ahead of their home Tests.

MATCH REPORT: Wallabies stun Boks at Ellis Park

Speaking to SuperSport after the final whistle, Kolisi admitted the breakdown was where the game was lost.

“We let ourselves down today. They definitely won the breakdown battle – congratulations to Fraser McReight for getting Man of the Match tonight. Ja, we let ourselves down and we have to take that on the chin. It’s unacceptable the way we performed. To start like that and to take your foot off the pedal – it’s just unacceptable from us.”

Kolisi paid tribute to the Australians’ grit in front of a stunned Ellis Park crowd.

“Credit to the Australian team. They played really well, they kept on fighting, they never gave up even though they went behind, so well done to them. We’re not proud of the performance we did today.”

While the Boks face a week of soul-searching before the rematch in Cape Town, Kolisi says there’s no time to sulk.

“We’re going to lift ourselves up and go next week and fight. There’s not much else we can do.”

Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images

It’s all over at Ellis Park. Well done to the @wallabies on the victory 🤝#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold #RSAvAUS pic.twitter.com/3mMFgIxThc

— Springboks (@Springboks) August 16, 2025