Springboks go back-to-back down under

Malcolm Marx came off the bench to score two tries and help the Springboks to 30 points to 12 bonus point win over Australia in Perth in round two of the Rugby Championship.

The Boks scored four tries, one from open play, and three from driving mauls, in the unrelenting rain at the Optus Stadium. The win means the Springboks score back-to-back victories in Australia for the first time since 1971. It is also their fourth win on the trot against the Wallabies.

The Springboks lined up in a rainy Optus Stadium in Perth, with a stacked bench, and their skipper, Salmaan Moerat, getting a chance to lead the Green and Gold for the second time.

There were 10 changes to the starting 15 from the team that beat the Wallabies in Brisbane and excitement to show the depth in the ranks of the Boks was palpable. That excitement spilled over and handed Australia a first shot at goal for tackling the scrumhalf.

The Wallabies duly obliged and put the first points on the board.

As the coaches looked on, both anxious to see their plans executed to perfection, one wondered if the rain might hamper the Boks’ counter attacking abilities. First Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu spilled the ball after a Cheslin Kolbe break and then Makazole Mapimpi could not hang onto the ball on the tryline in slippery conditions.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu had an opportunity to get the Springboks their first points and not long after, the Boks were rewarded for pouncing on an Australian blunder. Mapimpi was able to get a grubber kick away, which Aphelele Fassi latched onto and scored the opening try of the match.

With conditions such as they were, it was advisable to take the points when they were available, and Feinberg-Mngomezulu did just that.

Australian flyhalf Noah Lolesio had an opportunity to give the Gold and Green the lead going into the break, but he fluffed his lines and at the break South Africa led 11 points to nine.

The Springboks knew they needed to start playing to their strengths, lest they start scrapping at Australia’s level. A driving maul saw Marco van Staden crash over for his first test try early in the second half.

With no contestable scrums owing to Australian injuries, the Boks executed another driving maul, and Malcolm Marx scored his 18th test try and fourth against the Wallabies. He added to that tally in the 73rd minute, as the Springboks came up with a fourth try on the night with the Australians reduced to 14 men for frequent cynical play. That was enough for the 30 points to 12 win, and the bonus point.

“It has been an amazing two weeks coming down here and getting two victories it doesn’t happen very often the wallabies are a quality outfit and I think the guys really played well tonight and last week Rassie has got a plan. he is a genius, he is trying to build squad depth and the guys that were starting tonight they were great and then obviously the guys off the bench they came on to finish and it was a good squad effort this while tour,” says Eben Etzebeth, Springbok lock.

The Springboks now return to South Africa for two Rugby Championship test matches against New Zealand, starting in Johannesburg at the end of this month.