Australia got back on track in the Rugby Championship by recording a deserved 25-17 victory over South Africa in Adelaide, responding emphatically to their humiliating loss to Argentina.
Dave Rennie’s men looked eager to atone for their 48-17 hammering against the Pumas early on Saturday, with Fraser McReight taking charge of them almost from kick-off.
Another try from McReight, along with a fine effort from Marika Koroibete, gave the Wallabies an unassailable lead after the break, although South Africa restored some pride with two late scores from Kwagga Smith.
But the final scoreline ultimately failed to reflect the superiority of Australia, who inflicted back-to-back defeats on out-of-form visitors.
The Wallabies got off to a good start and hit the front in under two minutes; McReight comes on after good work from Saia Fainga’a and Nic White after the hosts took possession of South Africa’s 22.
After opening his account with the subsequent conversion, Noah Lolesio netted a penalty five minutes later as the hosts established a 10-point lead.
Handre Pollard reduced the backlog 24 minutes later with a penalty of his own as South Africa finally responded, but it was the sum of their efforts in the first half as the Springboks fended off several chances to cut the corner. advantage of the hosts.
The visitors had to pay for their waste eight minutes after the break, as Koroibete darted between challenges to convert after the ball was worked in from the left by White.
Australia then added some shine to the scoring when James Slipper found Lolesio in space after a fine set piece, allowing the number 10 to pass the baton to McReight to facilitate his second try of the game.
The visitors were at least able to recover some pride – and deprive their opponents of a bonus point – when Smith took advantage of a defensive confusion to cross unopposed five minutes from time, before doubling on the whistle final.
But even this late flurry could not prevent South Africa from going eight Tests without a road win against Australia (D1 L7), as Rennie’s side moved to nine points at the top of the table of the championship.
McReight double for the Rampant Wallabies
As the home crowd waited for a response after Australia’s dismal loss to Argentina last time out, McReight calmed nerves by overtaking after just 62 seconds.
He then netted a brilliant shot in the 57th minute to give the Wallabies what turned out to be an unassailable lead.
The misfortunes of the world champions continue
There was not to be a resounding reaction from the Springboks, however, who were well beaten by New Zealand last time out and looked well behind for much of this contest.
They are still without a win over the Wallabies in Australia since September 2013, when they took a comprehensive victory in Brisbane.
