World champions South Africa beat Australia 30-12 in Perth on Saturday morning as they returned to the top of the Rugby Championship.

The Wallabies were looking to avenge a disappointing 33-7 defeat to the Springboks in their openeing game last week, and South Africa had made 10 changes to the side that blew Australia away.

And a close first half ended with just two points in it as South Africa went into the break at 11-9, with Aphelele Fassi’s brilliant try the highlight, though the Wallabies were unlucky not to have had the lead after Noah Lolesio narrowly missed a penalty on half-time.

But the second half was an altogether different affair in wet conditions in Perth, as the South Africa pack took hold of the match and converted three mauls into three tries.

It finished 30-12 to the world champions as they continue their hunt for a first Rugby Championship title since 2019, ahead of a trip to New Zealand on 31 August.

Follow all of the live updates and reaction to the clash in Perth below:

Australia v South Africa LIVE

• Australia lose 30-12 to South Africa in the second round of fixtures in the Rugby Championship

• The Wallabies failed to bounce back from a bruising 33-7 defeat in the tournament opener, and sit bottom of the table

• The Springboks sit top of the table ahead of their two home matches against New Zealand

• TRY! Marx crosses for second try after Springboks maul (73’, Australia 12-30 South Africa)

• TRY! Marx picks from the maul and crosses the line (65’, Australia 12-23 South Africa)

• TRY! Van Staden scores just after half-time to extend the lead (44’, Australia 9-18 South Africa)

• TRY! Fassi finishes off a brilliant counter as he collects the grubber (18’, Australia 3-8 South Africa)

FULL-TIME! Australia 12-30 South Africa

13:20 , Chris Wilson

Harry Wilson comes in front of the microphone for the Wallabies, and he says that today South Africa “turned up, played some good footy, they won the big moments tonight”.

“I felt we weren’t far off, but we’ve got to win the big moments. We’re a new team, working hard together. Going to continue to work hard.

“We know if we keep working, improving, we will win those sort of moments. I guess just once we got a bit of front football, made a few silly errors, I guess we started to not do our fundamentals, what we pride ourselves on. That really hurt us in the second half.”

FULL-TIME! Australia 12-30 South Africa

13:10 , Chris Wilson

Eben Etzebeth is first to speak to the media, and he says that it has “been an amazing two weeks coming down, getting two victories”.

“It doesn’t happen a lot. The Wallabies are a quality outfit. I think the guys played well tonight and last week.

“Especially the first half. The shots were firing. We enjoyed it and knew they would come out hard tonight. That’s exactly what they did. Good result in the end.”

Regarding the changes made by Rassie Erasmus, Etzebeth says: “I think he’s a genius.

“They were great. Obviously the guys off the bench, they came on to finish. It was a good squad this whole tour.”

Rugby Championship recap

13:00 , Chris Wilson

So today’s result means that South Africa have two wins from two in their mini-tour Down Under, having won 33-7 in the tournament opener.

The full results are below:

Saturday, 10 August

Australia 7-33 South Africa

New Zealand 30-38 Argentina

Saturday, 17 August

New Zealand 42-10 Argentina

Australia 12-30 South Africa

FULL-TIME! Australia 12-30 South Africa

12:54 , Chris Wilson

So what was a close encounter at half-time, with just two points in it, ends with an 18-ppint margin of victory for the Springboks. The power of the pack was telling as they converted three tries from mauls and were able to keep their discipline better than their Aussie counterparts.

There’s a two-week break before the action resumes, and we’ll bring you details of that, plus some reaction, shortly.

FULL-TIME! Australia 12-30 South Africa

12:45 , Chris Wilson

It’ll be Australia who finish on the attack as they find the overlap and gain some ground courtesy of Koroibete. He’s brought down soon enough though, and the world champions kick out for a 30-12 win in Perth!

Australia 12-30 South Africa, 79 mins

12:43 , Chris Wilson

Both sides are attempting to get forward as the match approaches the final whistle, but they’re both suffering under ridiculous conditions. South Africa win the scrum near halfway and they opt to put it through the hands, with Fassi being the one tackled before the knock on from Etzebeth.

Australia 12-30 South Africa, 76 mins

12:41 , Chris Wilson

The Springboks are really dominating now, gaining about 30 metres with their latest foray forward. It almost ends brilliantly too, as the cross-field kick finds Pieter-Steoh du Toit alone on the wing!

He’s brought down by Koroibete metres from the line, and it’s knocked forward as he tries to pop it up!

TRY! Australia 12-30 South Africa, 73 mins

12:38 , Chris Wilson

TRY!

Uru offloads brilliantly to keep the Aussie attack alive, but it’s in vain as the Wallabies are penalised for holding on.

The Wallabies concede three penalties in a matter of minutes and Seru Uru is sent to the sin bin. South Africa will have a lineout about three metres from the Aussie line.

Unsurprisingly they form another maul – and it comes good again! Some players split off but marx is there again to cross for his second try! Pollard converts and that should be that.

Australia 12-23 South Africa, 69 mins

12:32 , Chris Wilson

The Wallabies are very lucky as they lose it from the lineout but it’s knocked on as the Springboks collect.

There’ll be an uncontested scrum about five metres from the line – but Australia can’t take advantage as they knock it forward, and South Africa clear for the lineout!

Australia 12-23 South Africa, 67 mins

12:30 , Chris Wilson

The Wallabies look to hit back quickly as they win the penalty as there was a hold on the neck. Lolesio punts out to touch around 15m out.

Hooper collects the lineout, and the maul wins a penalty advantage as they reach within about six metres of the line. The Aussies try and ship it wide, but they don’t have the overlap and we come back to the penalty.

Lolesio kicks for the lineout once more.

TRY! Australia 12-23 South Africa, 65 mins

12:27 , Chris Wilson

TRY! And it’s very similar to the last one for the Springboks.

The lineout happens almost bang on the 5m line, and it’s collected by Nortje. The Springboks start the maul and they power to the line, before Marx goes over for five.

Pollard can’t convert, so it stays at 23-12.

Australia 12-18 South Africa, 62 mins

12:25 , Chris Wilson

Lolesio knocks it forward while attempting to catch a box kick, and it’ll be a Springboks scrum midway into the Aussie half.

The Springboks win a penalty advantage that ends with their kick after the forwards fail to capitalise with the pick-and-go’s. They kick for the lineout, then ship it across, but the grubber under the posts is collected by Tate McDermott.

Australia 12-18 South Africa, 58 mins

12:20 , Chris Wilson

The rain continues to pour in Perth. It’s a downpour now, as the Wallabies bring on Seru Uru for Josh Nasser.

More kicks coming as the two sides look to catch each other out, and it’s brilliant from Lolesio to take it right next to the line and ship it wide. A brilliant cross-field kick suddenly finds Jorgensen in plenty of space; he charges to the Springboks 22 but eventually loses it in the kick. Plenty of ground gained by the Wallabies there.

The Wallabies bring on Hooper for Blyth, while South Africa bring in Smith for Louw.

Australia 12-18 South Africa, 54 mins

12:14 , Chris Wilson

Another change for South Africa as Thomas du Toit is replaced by Vincent Koch.

The two teams exchange kicks and South Africa have possession, eventually winning a penalty.

Another strong Springbok maul gains about 15m, before Williams picks and runs. Du Toit does the same, before Ruan Nortje is penalised on the try line for using his hands in the ruck!

Australia 12-18 South Africa, 50 mins

12:10 , Chris Wilson

For the Wallabies, Max Jorgensen has replaced Paisami, and the 19-year-old makes his debut. James Slipper also leaves the pitch, but for an HIA. He had come on for Allan Alaalatoa, and Billy Pollard replaces him.

South Africa replace scrum-half Morne van den Berg with Grant Williams.

Slipper comes back after a long break in play there, and it ends with an Aussie scrum – they win it, and a few phases end when White puts a grubber out for a lineout.

Australia 12-18 South Africa, 46 mins

12:02 , Chris Wilson

A couple of changes for South Africa as Ox Nche and Malcolm Marx come on for Johan Grobbelaar and Jan-Hendrik Wessels.

The Wallabies go on the attack and despite it being a little lacking in invention, it wins a penalty 40m out. Lolesio steps up and it looks good – it bounces off the inside of the right-hand post for three points!

Australia 9-18 South Africa, 43 mins

11:59 , Chris Wilson

TRY! South Africa extend the lead.

Lolesio is penalised for holding on and the Springboks knock it out for a lineout on the 5m line. They drive the maul forward, quickly gaining ground, before Marco van Staden sneaks through to touch down.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu sinks the conversion and South Africa take all seven points.

KICK-OFF! Australia 9-11 South Africa

11:56 , Chris Wilson

Back underway in Perth!

The second half begins with the Springboks on the attack.

HALF-TIME! Australia 9-11 South Africa

11:53 , Chris Wilson

Will the second half be as close an affair as the first, or will South Africa break away and score the points they’ve been threatening to?

We’ll find out soon.

HALF-TIME! Australia 9-11 South Africa

11:47 , Chris Wilson

It’s been a tight contest in Perth with the conditions playing a large part in a sometimes scrappy game.

The Wallabies will be happy that they’re in the match at the break, and even slightly disappointed that they aren’t leading now.

South Africa had the best of the scoring opportunities, but the Wallabies have been equally as disciplined as their opponents in the ruck and scrum.

HALF-TIME! Australia 9-11 South Africa

11:41 , Chris Wilson

Australia win the 50/22 after they disguise their run from the scrum and get some joy down the opposite side.

They keep possession and run through six phases before the up-and-under, but it’s collected by the ‘Boks and Australia cash in a penalty advantage that Wilson won on the ground.

This will be the last play of the first half as Lolesio lines up another kick, and we’re into the red.

30m away as the siren goes – and he drags it wide! Hard to see how he did that after a much more difficult kick earlier. The Wallabies should have the lead at the break, but they head down the tunnel trailing 9-11.

Australia 9-11 South Africa, 36 mins

11:34 , Chris Wilson

Lolesio and Feinberg-Mngomezulu exchange kicks, and the former looks like he’s won a penalty after he’s deliberately impeded when trying to collect his own chipped kick.

He does win the penalty, and he chooses to kick from around 45m. It’s a favourable angle though – and it’s good! It just about has the legs, creeping over the horizontal bar for 9-11.

Australia 6-11 South Africa, 33 mins

11:31 , Chris Wilson

South Africa go through the phases as they look for more points, but their possession ends with a sloppy over-the-top kick that is picked up and cleared by Hunter Paisami. From the lineout, South Africa are penalised for the throw not being straight, and the Wallabies take a scrum, which they win a free-kick from.

Australia 6-11 South Africa, 28 mins

11:27 , Chris Wilson

Australia get away with one once again.

They’re on the advance towards the Springboks’ 22 before Kolbe intercepts the pass from Nic White. He’s isolated and he has a lot to do, and is eventually taken down by Tom Wright. The advancing South Africa pack then knock it on as they try to reach the ruck, and Australia have a scrum.

Australia 6-11 South Africa, 25 mins

11:24 , Chris Wilson

Another penalty conceded by Australia and Feinberg-Mngomezulu slots another three points.

Australia 6-8 South Africa, 24 mins

11:22 , Chris Wilson

Australia hit back almost straight away as Lolesio threads a penalty through the posts.

The hosts are immediately under pressure from the restart though, desperately trying to keep hold of possession in their own 5m line before kicking for touch.

South Africa win a scrum around 5m from the posts, and Eben Etzebeth has come on.

TRY! Australia 3-8 South Africa, 17 mins

11:16 , Chris Wilson

TRY! And what a try it is from the Springboks.

Australia are on the attack but they spill it in the tackle, and South Africa are immediately on the counter. They have the man free on the overlap as it’s shipped wide to Mapimpi, and he threads through a perfectly timed kick to the onrushing Aphelele Fassi. The bounce is perfect, he duly collects it, and he slides over for 5.

The conversion is missed so we stay at 8-3.

Australia 3-3 South Africa, 15 mins

11:13 , Chris Wilson

South Africa win their first dangerous penalty as Josh Nasser is off his feet in the ruck. Feinberg-Mngomezulu duly slots the equaliser.

Australia 3-0 South Africa, 13 mins

11:10 , Chris Wilson

A second golden chance for a try in as many minutes gets away from the Springboks.

The Wallabies try the cross-field kick but it lands right in the hands of Mapimpi in space. He looks nailed on for the try, but Tom Wright just does enough to get across and put the winger off, and he knocks it on about three metres from the line!

Australia 3-0 South Africa, 11 mins

11:08 , Chris Wilson

A scrappy opening so far in Perth, with the rain clearly playing its part in a lot of spilled ball.

No worries for the Wallabies at the moment though, as they win another penalty after the Springboks collapse the scrum. From the lineout, the box kick is overhit and taken easily by Mapimpi.

The two sides exchange kicks before the Wallabies line is fractured and Cheslin Kolbe finds plenty of space. He thinks he’s shipped it wide safely, but the conditions play their part again and it’s knocked on!

Australia 3-0 South Africa, 6 mins

11:03 , Chris Wilson

The Wallabies do brilliantly to win possession off a Springboks line-out, but all the good work is undone as Kellaway fumbles the clearing kick and concedes another line-out within 30 seconds.

South Africa have their first chance to get it through the hands of the back line, but the cross-field kick is overhit from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

Australia 3-0 South Africa, 3 mins

11:00 , Chris Wilson

Australia win the scrum from kick-off, and after a quick reset Australia take it and creep into the 22 before winning an early penalty right in front of the posts.

They opt to kick and Noah Lolesio slots the first points of the day.

KICK-OFF! Australia 0-0 South Africa

10:57 , Chris Wilson

Today’s referee, New Zealand’s Paul Williams, gets us underway in Perth!

Australia v South Africa LIVE

10:50 , Chris Wilson

Not great conditions in Perth, with plenty of rain falling as the two sides emerge from the tunnel.

How will this new-look Springboks side fare against Australia? We’ll find out just after the national anthems.

10:48 , Chris Wilson

Australia v South Africa LIVE

10:40 , Chris Wilson

Just a few minutes until kick-off in Perth. A reminder, if you’re looking on your TV, that coverage of the match actually begins 10.45am in the UK (on Sky Sports Action).

A win for the Springboks takes them back into first in the tournament table, but a surprise win for the Wallabies would really throw a spanner in the works ahead of the All Blacks travelling to South Africa at the end of the month.

10:35 , Chris Wilson

Both sides’ Rugby Championship history

10:30 , Chris Wilson

The first Rugby Championship tournament – then known as the Tri-Nations – launched in 1996, and was won at a canter by New Zealand.

The All Blacks have since dominated the competition, winning 20 times. They have won seven of the last eight, dating back to 2016.

South Africa, despite being the most successful side in World Cup history, have only won this tournament four times – the same amount of times as they’ve won the World Cup!

Australia have also won the competition four times, but with the Wallabies looking out of sorts and New Zealand falling to defeat against Argentina in their opener, the scene is certainly set for a first Springboks win since 2019.

Head-to-head

10:20 , Chris Wilson

Matches between these two sides date back to 1933, with this morning’s meeting being the 95th overall (though the Australian Rugby Board now count three matches between New South Wales and South Africa in 1921 as Tests).

Overall, South Africa have won 51 matches between the two, with Australia winning 40 and three ending as draws.

The majority of recent matches have taken place as part of the Tri-Nations or Rugby Championship, though the two sides have met twice at the World Cup.

Australia beat the Springboks 27-21 at the semi-final stage in 1999, while in 2011, the Wallabies won 11-9 in the quarter-finals. In 1995, South Africa won 27-18 in the opening match of the tournament on their way to their maiden World Cup win.

Rugby Championship standings

10:10 , Chris Wilson

That result at Eden Park leaves the table looking like this heading into the final match of round two.

1 - South Africa - P1, W1, 5pts

2 - Argentina - P2, W1, L1, 4pts

3 - New Zealand - P2, W1, L1, 4pts

4 - Australia - P1, L1, 0pts

Rugby Championships result: NEW ZEALAND 42-10 ARGENTINA

10:03 , Chris Wilson

New Zealand have immediately bounced back from their surprising loss to Argentina last week by hammering the visitors 42-10.

Tries from McKenzieMallia, Savea, Beauden Barrett and Jordan (2) give the All Blacks the victory at Eden Park.

Their next matches take them to South Africa to face the world champions in Johannesburg (31 August) and Cape Town (7 September).

Rugby Championship 2024 schedule: Fixtures for South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina

09:50 , Chris Wilson

Here’s a reminder of the full schedule for the Rugby Championship, with the next round of fixtures beginning on Saturday, 31 August.

Saturday 31 August

South Africa vs New Zealand, 4pm (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)

Argentina vs Australia, 11pm (Estadio Uno, La Plata)

Saturday 7 September

South Africa vs New Zealand, 4pm (Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town)

Argentina vs Australia, 8pm (Estadio Brigadier General Estanislao Lopez, Santa Fe)

Saturday 21 September

Australia vs New Zealand, 6.45am (Accor Stadium, Sydney)

Argentina vs South Africa, 10pm (Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades, Santiago del Estero)

Saturday 28 September

New Zealand vs Australia, 8.05am (Sky Stadium, Wellington)

South Africa vs Argentina, 4pm (Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela)

Rugby Championship 2024 schedule and fixtures

Rassie Erasmus defends making sweeping South Africa changes against Australia: ‘This is not disrespectful’

09:40 , Chris Wilson

And below are those comments from Rassie Erasmus in full...

South Africa rugby coach Rassie Erasmus has defended making 10 changes to his side for this weekend’s rematch with Australia, insisting that they are showing no “disrespect” towards the Wallabies.

The Springboks got their Rugby Championship campaign off to an excellent start in Brisbane last Saturday, powering to a 33-7 victory.

The world champions have left out several key names, including captain Siya Kolisi, for the second encounter between the two sides in Perth as Erasmus assesses the depth of his squad.

Erasmus defends Springboks changes vs Australia: ‘This is not disrespectful’

South Africa romp past Australia in Rugby Championship opener as Springboks show superiority

09:30 , Chris Wilson

Here’s the report from the last match, if you needed reminding...

Winger Kurt-Lee Arendse scored two tries as South Africa matched their biggest ever win over the Wallabies on Australian soil with a 33-7 victory over their error-strewn hosts in the Rugby Championship opener in Brisbane on Saturday.

The world champions have added New Zealand attack coach Tony Brownto their technical team in a bid to instil a more ball-in-hand style and it was on full display as they ran in five tries with Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Kwagga Smith also crossing for scores.

An inexperienced Australia battled to get a foothold in the game and were dominated in the scrum and at the breakdown as they succumbed to a first defeat under new coach Joe Schmidt.

South Africa romp past Australia in Rugby Championship opener

09:20 , Chris Wilson

With just under 90 minutes until kick-off, here’s a reminder of how you can watch today’s match.

Australia v South Africa kicks off at 10.45am BST on Saturday, 17 August, and takes place at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia.

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Action, with coverage starting at 10.45am BST. Subscribers can also stream the match via Sky Go, or purchase a pass for NOW TV. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.

Is Australia v South Africa on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch

Line-ups

09:12 , Chris Wilson

Australia XV: 1 Angus Bell, 2 Josh Nasser, 3 Allan Alaalatoa; 4 Angus Blyth, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto; 6 Rob Valetini, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 8 Harry Wilson; 9 Nic White, 10 Noah Lolesio; 11 Marika Koroibete, 12 Hunter Paisami, 13 Len Ikitau, 14 Andrew Kellaway; 15 Tom Wright.

Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 James Slipper, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Tom Hooper, 20 Seru Uru; 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Max Jorgensen.

South Africa XV: 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 3 Thomas du Toit; 4 Salmaan Moerat (C), 5 Ruan Nortje; 6 Marco van Staden, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Elrigh Louw; 9 Morne van den Berg, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu; 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Cheslin Kobe; 15 Aphelele Fassi.

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Kwagga Smith; 21 Grant Williams, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Handre Pollard.

Team news

09:05 , Chris Wilson

Australia are boosted up front by the return of prop Angus Bell, while Angus Blyth and Josh Nasser are also brought in to the starting tight five. Marika Koroibete replaces the injured Filipo Daugunu on the wing. Versatile Reds forward Seru Uru and young gun Max Jorgensen await debuts from the bench.

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus raised eyebrows when he announced that he had made 10 changes to the side that beat the Wallabies 33-7 in Brisbane in their tournament opener. He later defended the decision, adding that “it is a bit of a slap in the face for the guys playing this weekend if we think that they are not as good as the guys that played last weekend”.

The Springboks have changed all of their forwards bar Pieter-Steph du Toit and Elrigh Louw, while only Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Jesse Kriel and Cheslin Kolbe remain out of the backs.

Australia v South Africa preview

08:55 , Chris Wilson

The Wallabies look to immediately recover from what was a hugely disappointing loss last week in Brisbane. They only managed to score when South Africa had a man in the sin bin, while they conceded five tries to the world champions.

Joe Schmidt knows he has a much-changed, youthful side with a lot to learn, and despite Australia’s warm-up wins against Wales and Georgia, the Springboks have proven to be an entirely different beast. They will be determined to make up for what was an embarrassing loss, and they may well have the chance to, as South Africa have made 10 changes to last week’s side.

Coach Rassie Erasmus has dismissed talk of the changes being disrespectful, claiming he has faith in the quality of his 15 to get the job done. The odds are still in South Africa’s favour, so can the Wallabies spring a surprise in Perth?

The Springboks will hope not, as New Zealand’s loss to Argentina last week puts them in a commanding position if they can secure the back-to-back wins Down Under.

Australia v South Africa LIVE

08:45 , Chris Wilson

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Australia vs South Africa in the Rugby Championship!

Joe Schmidt’s side look to bounce back from a bruising 33-7 defeat to the Springboks, while the world champions are looking to build on last week’s win as they hunt a first Championship title since 2019.

And we’ll have all the build-up, news and live updates right here.