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2025 South Africa vs Australia - Men's

Wallabies Shock Springboks 38-22: Australia First Ellis Park Win Since '63

Wallabies Shock Springboks 38-22: Australia First Ellis Park Win Since '63

Watch Wallabies vs. Springboks highlights, scores and replays, and recap the 2025 Rugby Championship opener from Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg.

Aug 16, 2025 by R. R. Ellis
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South Africa still are looking to make it two Rugby Championship titles in a row, but the Springboks opened their TRC campaign against the Australia Wallabies with a massive result at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg, losing in dramatic style. 

It was the first Aussie win at the stadium since 1963. 

At halftime, it looked as if the Australian side was completely out of the running, as the Springboks had sprinted out to a 22-5 lead by the time the teams headed to the locker room. 

Kurt-Lee Arendse got the Boks started, scoring within three minutes of the start of the game. 

Jesse Kriel then linked up with Pieter-Steph du Toit and Andre Esterhuizen to score one of the best tries of the match. 

After a Siya Kolisi try in the first half, the Springboks were shut out for the last 63 minutes of the match, a staggering turn of events. 

In the second half, the Aussies played on the front foot, with a quick try from Harry Wilson and a sensational interception from Joseph Suaalii.

The Wallabies then continued to batter the home-side, scoring 33 unanswered points. 

Their second match will be crucial if South Africa is to win a back-to-back Rugby Championship titles.

Here's a recap of the match as it happened, including Wallabies vs. Springboks highlights, or subscribe to watch the match replay on FloRugby.

Springboks vs. Wallabies Highlights


Springboks Player Ratings vs. Wallabies

Philip Bendon has released player ratings for the South Africa vs. Australia matchup at The Rugby Championship.

Wallabies Notch Massive Result vs. Springboks

Final: Australia 38, South Africa 22

The Wallabies have done it! 

The Aussies upset the Springboks, keeping them from scoring in the second half as they clawed back try after try. 

Australia wins at Ellis Park for the first time since 1963.

Tom Wright Try

Wallabies Score AGAIN! - 75'

Australia 38, South Africa 22

The Wallabies are going to win this game. What an incredible upset ahead. 

Tom Wright scores this time. 

Massive Aussie Win Possible - 72'

Australia 33, South Africa 22

This would be one of the biggest Wallabies wins in some time, and they have about eight minutes to hold on. 

The Ellis Park crowd, and even the South Africa announcers, seem absolutely stunned. 

Harry Wilson Try

Max Jorgensen Scores! Wallabies Surging! - 67'

Australia 33, South Africa 22

What an absolute second-half thrashing from the Wallabies, as the Springboks have yet to score after the break. 

The boo-birds are out in Ellis Park as Max Jorgensen takes it across the line. 

The game well in hand for Australia at the moment. 

Wallabies Scores Again! Pull Ahead! - 63'

Australia 26, South Africa 22

Ellis Park Stadium has gone silent as the Wallabies pull ahead of the heavily favored Springboks. 

Harry Wilson scores his second try of the game, as the Boks defense has crumbled in the last three Aussie tries. 

James O'Connor makes the conversion. 

Joseph Suaalii Try

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii Intercepts, Scores! - 58'

South Africa 22, Australia 19

What a moment, as the young Wallabies star Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii scores after he intercepts a pass between the Boks. 

Australia is within one score of taking a lead in this game, the opening Rugby Championship match. 

James O'Connor, after a cold start, makes the conversion. 

Harrowing for the Springboks fans. 

Wallabies Holding Firm - 53'

South Africa 22, Australia 12

Both teams are getting warned in the scrum, so yellow cards could start flying soon. 

Meanwhile, the Wallabies are holding on and are within striking distance with plenty of time to go. 

Much of the Boks' starting lineup has been taken off, including Siya Kolisi, but of course they are one of the deepest international teams in the world. 

Harry Wilson Scores! Wallabies Clawing Back - 42'

South Africa 22, Australia 12

Harry Wilson breaks through a stunned Springboks line and scores within a few minutes of the start of the second half. 

James O'Connor puts away the conversion and the Wallabies are back in this game. 

Second Half Begins - 40'

South Africa 22, Australia 5

We have 40 minutes to go at Ellis Park Stadium. 

Australia vs. South Africa Halftime Stats

South Africa 22, Australia 5

Possession:

  • South Africa: 58%
  • Australia: 42%

Territory:

  • South Africa: 60%
  • Australia: 40%

Tackles:

  • South Africa: 50
  • Australia: 89

Lineouts:

  • South Africa: 8 (75%)
  • Australia: 10 (90%)

Turnovers Won:

  • South Africa: 2
  • Australia: 5

Turnovers Lost:

  • South Africa: 7
  • Australia: 7

Halftime At Ellis Park Stadium In Johannesburg

South Africa 22, Australia 5

The Springboks head to the locker room with a commanding lead over the Wallabies. 

Although the 22-5 score doesn't look outrageous, the Boks certainly have the game in hand at this point.

Dylan Pietsch Try

Massive Linebreak From Esterhuizen - 31'

South Africa 22, Australia 5

Andre Esterhuizen sets up the Boks to score again as he pushes through the Australian line, only to finally be pulled down by nearly five Wallabies. 

Dylan Pietsch, a few minutes after scoring, takes a direct shoulder shot from Siya Kolisi, who sends him off the field with an injury -- seemingly to his jaw. 

TMO reviews for foul play. Nothing there. 

Wallabies Scores! - 28'

South Africa 22, Australia 5

The Aussies are on the board, as Dylan Pietsch scores for the Wallabies. 

James O'Connor misses the conversion. 

Can Australia mount a comeback before halftime?

Siya Kolisi Try

Andre Esterhuizen Try

Siya Kolisi Scores!! - 17'

South Africa 22, Australia 0

Ellis Park Stadium erupts as captain Siya Kolisi scores and points to the sky. 

What a statement from the Boks to start this game. 

The Wallabies look defeated 17 minutes into this match. They'll need to dig deeper if they hope to keep up. 

Manie Libbok puts it through the uprights this time. 

Kriel, Du Toit, Esterhuizen Link For 2nd Try - 12'

South Africa 15, Australia 0

Some incredible offloading out wide by the Springboks - Jesse Kriel and Pieter-Steph du Toit, with Andre Esterhuizen taking it over the line for the try. 

Springboks look measured, collaborative and powerful. 

Manie Libbok misses the conversion. 

Kurt-Lee Arendse Try

Manie Libbok Makes Penalty Goal - 9'

South Africa 10, Australia 0

The Springboks are cruising along through the first 10 minutes of this match. 

Arendse Gathers Box Kick, Crushes Tom Wright - 6'

South Africa 7, Australia 0

Arendse gathers a box kick by the Boks and absolutely clobbers Wallabies No. 15 Tom Wright. 

The Springboks are back within the Wallabies 22m area. 

Kurt-Lee Arendse Scores! - 2'

South Africa 7, Australia 0

Arendse puts the Boks on the board and SA are off to a quick start. The Wallabies look stunned. 

Manie Libbok makes the conversion. 

Springboks Already Inside 22m - 1'

South Africa 0, Australia 0

It took only a minute for the Springboks to press. Feels like the Wallabies were not ready for this start. 

Game Begins - 0'

South Africa 0, Australia 0

The Rugby Championship 2025 is underway, as Australia kicks off to the Springboks at Ellis Park. 

Eben Etzebeth gives the Boks a passionate talk before the start of the game, and we're off. 

Teams Taking The Field

Harry Wilson captains the Wallabies today. He leads Australia to the field looking to break a four-game losing streak against South Africa. 

The Springboks are led by the much-beloved No. 8 Siya Kolisi. 

Prediction: Can Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies Pull Off A Shock At Ellis Park?

"Although the Wallabies showed significant improvement… they were facing a side that had switched off mentally. Facing a Springbok side who are hunting history... they’ll be facing an altogether different challenge." - Philip Bendon

Springboks Squad

  1. Ox Nche
  2. Malcolm Marx
  3. Wilco Louw
  4. Eben Etzebeth
  5. Lood de Jager
  6. Marco van Staden
  7. Pieter-Steph du Toit
  8. Siya Kolisi
  9. Grant Williams
  10. Manie Libbok
  11. Kurt-Lee Arendse
  12. Andre Esterhuizen
  13. Jesse Kriel
  14. Edwill van der Merwe
  15. Aphelele Fassi

Substitutes: 16. Bongi Mbonambi, 17. Boan Venter, 18. Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19. Franco Mostert, 20. Kwagga Smith, 21. Cobus Reinach, 22. Canan Moodie, 23. Damian Willemse

Wallabies Squad

  1. James Slipper
  2. Billy Pollard
  3. Taniela Tupou
  4. Nick Frost
  5. Will Skelton
  6. Tom Hooper
  7. Fraser McReight
  8. Harry Wilson
  9. Nic White
  10. James O'Connor
  11. Dylan Pietsch
  12. Len Ikitau
  13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
  14. Max Jorgensen
  15. Tom Wright

Substitutes: 16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17. Angus Bell, 18. Zane Nonggorr, 19. Jeremy Williams, 20. Langi Gleeson, 21. Tate McDermott, 22. Tane Edmed, 23. Andrew Kellaway

How To Watch South Africa vs. Australia Live Stream

Every match of the 2025 Rugby Championship is streaming live in the United States on FloRugby and the FloSports app.

Match replays, highlights and breaking news will be on both platforms.

What Time Are The Springboks Playing Today?

The first match of The Rugby Championship, between South Africa and Australia, is at 11:10 a.m. ET on Aug. 16. 

The match will take place at Emirates Airline Park, also known as Ellis Park, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Wallabies Arrive in Johannesburg

Rassie Erasmus Names Veteran Side With Hint Of Experimentation

"Chasing history as the first Springboks team to win back-to-back Rugby Championships, Rassie Erasmus has named a strong team... Erasmus noted the squad reflects ongoing experimentation but is confident in its readiness for Australia." – Philip Bendon

Are The Springboks Undercooked Ahead Of Their Title Defense?

"Against a second-string Azzurri, the Boks at times looked pedestrian as they struggled to put them away in the first test... This has led to questions as to whether the Boks are undercooked coming into The Rugby Championship, a narrative they will be keen to dispel on Saturday." – Philip Bendon

Watch SA vs. Italy From July 12


Bokke In The Building

World Rankings Before TRC 25

What Channel Is The Springboks Playing Today?

Every match of the 2025 Rugby Championship is streaming live in the United States on FloRugby and the FloSports app.

Match replays, highlights and breaking news will be on both platforms.

The Rugby Championship 2025 Schedule

Aug. 16

Aug. 23

Sept. 6

Sept. 13

Sept. 27

Oct. 4

South Africa Springboks Fixtures 2025

June 28

July 5

July 12

July 19

Aug. 16

Aug. 23

Sept. 6

Sept. 13

Sept. 27

Oct. 4

Nov. 8

  • 3:10 p.m. ET: France vs. South Africa

Nov. 15

  • 7:40 a.m. ET: Italy vs. South Africa

Nov. 22

  • 12:40 p.m. ET: Ireland vs. South Africa

Nov. 29

  • 10:10 a.m. ET: Wales vs. South Africa

Australia Wallabies 2025 Fixtures

July 5

  • 11:30 p.m. ET: Australia vs. Fiji

July 19

  • 6:00 a.m. ET: Australia vs. British & Irish Lions

July 26

  • 6 a.m. ET: Australia vs. British & Irish Lions

Aug. 2

  • 6 a.m. ET: Australia vs. British & Irish Lions

Aug. 16

Aug. 23

Sept. 6

Sept. 13

Sept. 27

Oct. 4

Oct. 24

  • 8 p.m. ET: Japan vs. Australia

Nov. 1

  • 11:10 a.m. ET: England vs. Australia

Nov. 8

  • 12:40 p.m. ET: Italy vs. Australia

Nov. 15

  • 3:10 p.m. ET: Ireland vs. Australia

Nov. 22

  • 3:10 p.m. ET: France vs. Australia

How To Watch The Rugby Championship 2025

In the United States, rugby fans can watch 2025 The Rugby Championship on FloRugby and the FloSports App. 

South Africa Vs. Barbarians On FloRugby YouTube


How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby

The URC will stream all its matches on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to: 

FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays. 

Join The Rugby Conversation On FloRugby Social