Wallabies Player Ratings From Stunning Comeback Win At Ellis Park
Wallabies Player Ratings From Stunning Comeback Win At Ellis Park
The Wallabies stunned Springboks with 38 unanswered points at Ellis Park. See player ratings from Australia’s historic Rugby Championship comeback win.
In one of the most remarkable turnarounds in modern test rugby, Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies defied all odds to overturn a 22-5 halftime deficit against the back-to-back world champion Springboks at Ellis Park.
What unfolded in Johannesburg was nothing short of historic, as Australia piled on 38 unanswered points in the second half to seal a stunning 38-22 victory in the opening round of the 2025 Rugby Championship.
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The Wallabies, under immense early pressure, looked set for another long afternoon against a side that has dominated them in recent years.
Yet, from the moment the teams returned after the break, the Australians flipped the script.
Hard-nosed defence, relentless breakdown work, clinical set-piece execution and dazzling backline play combined to dismantle the Boks in front of a stunned home crowd.
Captain Harry Wilson led from the front with two tries and an immense all-round performance, while Fraser McReight and Tom Hooper were tireless in defense.
Out wide, Max Jorgensen and Tom Wright lit up Ellis Park with world-class attacking displays.
From seasoned veterans to emerging stars, Schmidt’s side delivered a performance that will be remembered as a defining statement of intent.
Here is how the Wallabies players fared in Johannesburg:
1. James Slipper – 3
A true legend of Wallabies rugby of that there is no doubt, but against the weight and power of the Boks front row, Slipper had a tough go of things.
He was replaced at halftime by Angus Bell.
2. Billy Pollard - 8
Picked his way through the tall timber of the Springboks jumpers, and though he lost a few, he generally threw well when it mattered most.
Defensively, he was monstrous with 12 tackles and plenty of ruck interventions at key points.
3. Taniela Tupou – 4
Putting in a solid shift, Tupou had a right old tussle with Ox Nche but ultimately was let down by the other side of the scrum getting taken to town.
Defensively, he put in a good shift during his 40 minutes on the park, making seven tackles and generally causing the Springboks issues at the breakdown.
4. Nick Frost - 8
Digging deep for a big 80-minute shift, Frost ruled the air with eight line-outs won to go along with his 10 tackles as he went toe-to-toe with Eben Etzebeth and proved without a shadow of a doubt that he is a player at this level.
5. Will Skelton – 7
Struggling to live with the tempo of the match early on, it looked like it might be a long day for Skelton and his teammates.
Instead, the giant Stade Rochelais lock knuckled down and got through his work with 10 tackles, seven carries and a huge amount of ruck involvement as he blasted Bok poachers off the ball.
Staying on the pitch for 57 minutes, Skelton was far from his very best, but he was instrumental in dragging his side back into the fight.
6. Tom Hooper - 9
Won an exceptional turnover in the 49th minute when the Springboks were right on the Wallabies' line.
The Brumbies backrow was a titan as he finished second on the tackle charts with 15 and carried hard into the heart of the Springboks’ blitz defense.
7. Fraser McReight – 9.5
Simply world-class, the Reds backrow frustrated the Springboks from start to finish, making 22 tackles, winning two big time turnovers and carrying hard in the close exchanges.
Chopping down the big Bok ball carriers all match, McReight laid the platform for his team to pull off their masterclass comeback.
8. Harry Wilson (c) – 9
Two tries, eight line-outs won, 14 tackles and three defenders beaten, all in just 64 minutes of work before he departed with an injury.
The Wallabies skipper put in a performance for the ages as he built on his strong showing against the British and Irish Lions.
While he may not be the flashiest of Wallabies backrows, Wilson is exactly the type of leader Joe Schmidt likes to build his teams around.
Hopefully, the injury will not be too serious following what undoubtedly was his best showing in the gold jersey.
9. Nic White - 8
Once again, a serial pain in the backside for his opponents, the veteran scrumhalf will be thanking his lucky stars that he postponed his retirement.
Whipping out 50 passes, box kicking and generally clearing the ball away from the ruck at a rapid rate, White had himself a vintage performance.
10. James O’Connor – 8.5
Endured a mixed bag in the first half, started slowly before finding his groove at around the 25-minute mark.
Putting one massively overcooked clearance kick aside, O’Connor did exactly what his side needed from him.
Taking the ball to the line, offloading well (twice), getting the ball around the blitz defense and kicking long, he proved his value once again to Australian Rugby.
With the removal of the Giteau law, he could well be in the mix for the next World Cup.
11. Dylan Pietsch – 4
Finished off a superb Wallabies try in the 28th minute, before departing three minutes later with what appeared to be a broken jaw. He got his positioning wrong when trying to tackle Siya Kolisi.
Try aside, the Western Force flyer struggled to contain the pace of the Boks back three, who got around him a couple of times.
12. Len Ikitau – 8.5
Not without his faults.
At times, he struggled to handle the physicality of Andre Esterhuizen, but the Brumbies center did the hard yards of his side.
Topping the carry charts with 11 for 18 meters, making eight tackles and having a try assist before departing with injury in the 67th minute, Ikitau was the glue that held the back line in place.
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii – 8
On the whole, the former league star had a mixed bag, as both Andre Esterhuizen and Damian Willemse powered through him.
Moments later, he plucked a wayward Manie Libbok pass to race away and put the Wallabies into a two-score lead.
It is clear for all to see that he is an elite talent who can make big-time plays, and days like today will only accelerate his development.
14. Max Jorgensen – 9.5
Absolutely world-class, that is the only way to sum up Jorgensen’s 98-meter performance, which included 3 line breaks, a defender beaten and utter domination in the air.
His try was magnificently taken and just rewards for a performance that bamboozled the Springboks back three (outside of Kurt Lee Arendse).
While Sua’ali’I understandably has been labeled as the Wallabies' key player, Jorgensen might just be their most promising young talent.
15. Tom Wright - 9
He had 127 meters made, five defenders beaten, two offloads and a try. The Brumbies fullback put on an attacking masterclass at Ellis Park.
He recovered well from a shaky start where the Boks peppered him with tricky kicks and had big ball carriers trudging through the defense.
Wright was instrumental in the build-up to pretty much everything positive the Wallabies did.
His try was pure magic, as he slipped through the grasp of Jesse Kriel to leave the experienced center clutching at ghosts.
Replacements
16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa – 7
Brought some real oomph to the final 15 minutes with his physicality at the breakdown.
He had two good carries and four line-out throws.
17. Angus Bell – 8.5
Made an instant impact with his perfect ball to Harry Wilson for the Wallabies' second try.
While the logic behind Schmidt’s want for impact from the bench makes sense in theory, Bell proved once again that he is far and away the Wallabies' best loosehead.
His power in the carry, physicality in defense and ball-playing ability were on full display.
18. Zane Nonggorr – 8
Replacing the Tongan Thor, Nonggorr held his own against a previously dominant Springboks pack.
Along with his fellow front row replacements, the tighthead solidified the areas that were previously struggling in what was a key component to the Wallabies' resurgence.
19. Jeremy Williams – 7
Replaced Will Skelton with 56 minutes on the clock and instantly slotted into the enforcer role around the breakdown.
20. Langi Gleeson – 7.5
Another of the Wallabies' firecracker bench forwards, Gleeson was busy during his 15 minutes on the pitch.
Making six carries and constantly hounding the breakdown, Gleeson outshone the Boks’ "Bomb Squad" with ease.
21. Tate McDermott – 8.5
Popping up initially on the wing in replacement for Len Ikitau, the ultra-versatile Reds star had another huge performance from the bench.
Playing 20 minutes out of position before sliding in when Nic White was replaced, McDermott left no doubt that he is the future of the scrumhalf position for the Wallabies.
22. Tane Edmend – N/A
Unused sub.
23. Andrew Kellaway – 7.5
Made a nice line break on one of his two carries to race away for 38 meters, he crucially had some big defensive interventions when the Boks broke the line. He also cleaned up a few messy kicks.
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