World media: Wallabies beat the Boks – they did not steal it

The emphatic verdict from Australia, New Zealand and the British rugby media after the Wallabies beat the Springboks 42-38 at Optus Stadium was that the Wallabies were back as World Cup contenders. They refused to diminish the win as one achieved against a second-string Springbok line-up.

The chaos of the final 10 minutes dominated the headlines, but it did not define the performance.

Australia led 42-17 before captain Harry Wilson, Ryan Lonergan, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Hunter Paisami were shown yellow cards. At one stage in the final few minutes, 11 Wallabies were defending against 15 Springboks.

South Africa scored three converted tries between the 71st and 79th minute and got within four points, but the scoreline flattered the Boks.

For 65 minutes, Australia were the better team.

They were more accurate, more cohesive and more dangerous. They won the aerial contest, pressured the Springboks in midfield and prevented the Bok pack from establishing its customary scrum and maul control until late in the match.

The Australian media celebrated more than a famous result. It celebrated confirmation that the Wallabies’ revival under coach Les Kiss is real.

Fox Sports and Code Sports called it all-time Wallabies drama, but their assessment went beyond the madness of four yellow cards and the referee having to communicate with the TMO by mobile phone.

The focus was on Australia scoring 42 points against the world champions and beating the Boks for the second time in 13 months.

The 42 points was the second most scored against the Boks, by the Wallabies in 96 years.

The ABC described the victory as deserved.

Rugby.com.au highlighted Australia’s nine line breaks before the cards started coming. That was three times as many as South Africa had managed.

The Sydney Morning Herald led with the Wallabies stunning the Springboks in a wild Test.

But this was not just wild. It was good.

It was clever from Kiss and clinical from his players.

Suaalii’s move from outside centre to the left wing was inspired. He and Max Jorgensen targeted the Springbok back three and repeatedly beat South Africa in the air.

Aphelele Fassi endured a difficult afternoon. His uncertainty under the high ball contributed directly to Len Ikitau’s second try and he was punished again for handling errors.

Ikitau was immense at outside centre. He scored twice, carried powerfully and gave Australia the midfield authority South Africa never established.

Lonergan was even better.

Rugby365 named the Australian scrumhalf its man of the match and praised his decision-making, tactical kicking and control. Planet Rugby described him as “simply magnificent”.

Lonergan determined the speed of the contest. He kicked to compete, kept the scoreboard moving and provided the service that allowed Australia to attack outside South Africa’s defensive pressure.

Planet Rugby delivered the strongest international judgement. Its analysis described this as Australia’s greatest win in 11 years and argued that 42-17 was a more accurate reflection of the contest than 42-38.

That is brutal, but it is accurate.

The Boks’ comeback only started once Australia lost players to the sin bin and Angus Bell had been replaced. Ox Nché and Wilco Louw then destroyed the replacement Australian scrum, but the famed Bomb Squad had offered little before that.

Rassie Erasmus introduced all eight replacements early in the second half. The expected explosion never came.

RugbyPass said the Boks looked leggy and short of answers. South Africa lost the aerial battle, lacked accuracy and failed to establish the physical dominance expected of any Springbok combination.

There was recognition that Erasmus had made 13 changes to the team that beat the All Blacks in Baltimore, but there was no sympathy.

This was still a Springbok match-day squad filled with World Cup winners and experienced Test players.

The Telegraph wrote that Australia’s performance was another reminder of the team’s transformation under Kiss. Its World Cup message was that if the Wallabies play like this in their own country in 2027, the tournament will be richer for it.

The Guardian called it a huge World Cup warning.

BBC Sport’s headline was direct: “Four men down but Australia still beat South Africa.”

Sky Sports highlighted the extraordinary finish but also stressed that South Africa’s errors and Australia’s control created the 25-point lead before the contest descended into chaos.

In New Zealand, 1News was more damaging to the Boks. Its report said South Africa’s reputation for having the greatest depth in international rugby had taken a hit.

There was also the inevitable New Zealand consideration.

Australia’s next opponents are the All Blacks at Eden Park. The Wallabies have not won there since 1986, but the team travelling to Auckland is unbeaten in six Tests and has just scored 42 points against the world champions.

The Wallabies have spent two decades arriving at the Bledisloe Cup with hope and leaving without the trophy.

This time they arrive with evidence.

The world media’s verdict on Perth was consistent. Australia deserved to win. Suaalii’s move to the wing worked. Lonergan and Ikitau controlled the contest. South Africa’s changes explained the lack of cohesion but did not excuse it.

The Wallabies are not yet back among the elite of Test rugby.

But they are no longer an afterthought.

And the Springboks, beaten twice by Australia in three Tests since 2025, cannot dismiss them as one.