Wallabies put Rugby Championship on notice with 22-point comeback over Springboks

Tobey Lewis

Wallabies put Rugby Championship on notice with 22-point comeback over Springboks image

The opening round of the Rugby Championship is off to a bang, as the Wallabies claim victory over South Africa.

Conceding three tries in just 20 minutes, Australia trailed 22-0 and looked on course for another bruising reminder of the gulf between themselves and the world champions.

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Instead, they rewrote the script. From Dylan Pietsch's first half strike, to Harry Wilson's double, the Wallabies found their footing in front of a hostile crowd.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii's intercept try swung the momentum, before Wilson crashed over for his second of the night.

Max Jorgensen's dazzling footwork extended the margin, and Tom Wright's 75th minute try sealed the comeback and put the game away.

The most encouraging sign from this performance for Wallabies fans was the composure under pressure which eluded them in the Lions tour.

Australia trusted their systems and met the South Africans physically, particularly as the score drew closer.

Just four penalties all game allowed the Wallabies to not let the score get away from them.

James O'Connor, back in gold after years away, brought the composure this side has long craved, steering a young backline around the park all night.

For Joe Schmidt, the result was validation of the groundwork he has laid over the last couple of years.

The comeback was one of the greatest in Wallabies history, as they prepare for their second fixture against the Springboks next week.

Editorial Intern

Tobey Lewis

Tobey Lewis is a content producer for Sporting News Australia, specialising in rugby league and combat. In his spare time, he bemoans being the lone player from his high school rugby league team to not be an NRL star.