LEN IKITAU SCORED twice as Australia claimed their biggest scalp under new coach Les Kiss with a dramatic 42-38 win in the one-off Test against South Africa in Perth on Sunday.
The Wallabies scored five tries but had to hang on against the World Cup champions, going down to 11 players late on as skipper Harry Wilson, Ryan Lonergan, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Hunter Paisami received yellow cards.
Having trailed 42-17, South Africa scored three tries at the death, but it was not enough to overturn the deficit in a wild match in front of 54,678 fans, many drawn from Perth’s sizeable South African community.
“We’re excited and we were up for it. The first 70 minutes we executed our game plan.”
It marked a statement for the Wallabies in their first match under Kiss against one of the traditional rugby powers, albeit a shorthanded Springboks.
The world’s top-ranked side fielded a new-look lineup after making 13 changes from their Test win over the All Blacks earlier this month in Baltimore.
“I’m very proud of the fight the boys showed at the end, but we have got to be better than that,” South Africa stand-in captain Andre Esterhuizen said.
South Africa were helpless countering Ikitau, who relished his shift to outside centre with several exhilarating runs through the middle.
After trailing early, the Wallabies took control against a Springboks side still boasting 10 World Cup winners.
The victory in the Mandela Challenge Plate means the Wallabies continued their unbeaten record under Kiss, who replaced Joe Schmidt in July in preparation for next year’s home World Cup.
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Australia had kick-started the new era by beating Japan twice and then securing a first-ever series triumph in Argentina.
But they were dealt a blow ahead of the match after the withdrawal of lock Josh Canham, who was ruled out with a mild hamstring injury.
Kiss made a major tactical adjustment with Suaalii starting on the wing for the first time in his career.
The 23-year-old rugby league convert made his presence felt immediately by spectacularly flying high after kick-off only to give away the penalty at the breakdown.
Both teams felt each other out and traded penalties within the opening 10 minutes.
The Springboks’ vaunted physicality in set pieces came to the fore when Johan Grobbelaar crashed through for the match’s first try.
The Wallabies butchered several possessions, unable to handle the intense defensive pressure from their counterparts.
But they were ignited by consecutive tries to Ikitau, with the latter a superb gather off an aerial contest before storming over the line.
South Africa responded with Edwill van der Merwe’s blistering run into the corner finishing off a superb chain of passes.
A high-octane first half was capped when Ben Donaldson crossed in the left corner to reward a period of dominance for the home side.
The Wallabies’ momentum carried over in the second half even though Allan Alaalatoa failed to return to the field with a head injury.
Lonergan’s accurate penalty stretched the Wallabies’ lead to 27-17, leading to South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus making eight changes to his starting line-up.
But it did not do the trick, with Wilson and Max Jorgensen scoring before the late drama.
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Ikitau on the double as Australia claim huge scalp against South Africa
Australia 42
South Africa 38
LEN IKITAU SCORED twice as Australia claimed their biggest scalp under new coach Les Kiss with a dramatic 42-38 win in the one-off Test against South Africa in Perth on Sunday.
The Wallabies scored five tries but had to hang on against the World Cup champions, going down to 11 players late on as skipper Harry Wilson, Ryan Lonergan, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Hunter Paisami received yellow cards.
Having trailed 42-17, South Africa scored three tries at the death, but it was not enough to overturn the deficit in a wild match in front of 54,678 fans, many drawn from Perth’s sizeable South African community.
“I’m so proud of the group,” Wilson said.
“We’re excited and we were up for it. The first 70 minutes we executed our game plan.”
It marked a statement for the Wallabies in their first match under Kiss against one of the traditional rugby powers, albeit a shorthanded Springboks.
The world’s top-ranked side fielded a new-look lineup after making 13 changes from their Test win over the All Blacks earlier this month in Baltimore.
“I’m very proud of the fight the boys showed at the end, but we have got to be better than that,” South Africa stand-in captain Andre Esterhuizen said.
South Africa were helpless countering Ikitau, who relished his shift to outside centre with several exhilarating runs through the middle.
After trailing early, the Wallabies took control against a Springboks side still boasting 10 World Cup winners.
The victory in the Mandela Challenge Plate means the Wallabies continued their unbeaten record under Kiss, who replaced Joe Schmidt in July in preparation for next year’s home World Cup.
Australia had kick-started the new era by beating Japan twice and then securing a first-ever series triumph in Argentina.
But they were dealt a blow ahead of the match after the withdrawal of lock Josh Canham, who was ruled out with a mild hamstring injury.
Kiss made a major tactical adjustment with Suaalii starting on the wing for the first time in his career.
The 23-year-old rugby league convert made his presence felt immediately by spectacularly flying high after kick-off only to give away the penalty at the breakdown.
Both teams felt each other out and traded penalties within the opening 10 minutes.
The Springboks’ vaunted physicality in set pieces came to the fore when Johan Grobbelaar crashed through for the match’s first try.
The Wallabies butchered several possessions, unable to handle the intense defensive pressure from their counterparts.
But they were ignited by consecutive tries to Ikitau, with the latter a superb gather off an aerial contest before storming over the line.
South Africa responded with Edwill van der Merwe’s blistering run into the corner finishing off a superb chain of passes.
A high-octane first half was capped when Ben Donaldson crossed in the left corner to reward a period of dominance for the home side.
The Wallabies’ momentum carried over in the second half even though Allan Alaalatoa failed to return to the field with a head injury.
Lonergan’s accurate penalty stretched the Wallabies’ lead to 27-17, leading to South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus making eight changes to his starting line-up.
But it did not do the trick, with Wilson and Max Jorgensen scoring before the late drama.
– © AFP 2026
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