The Springboks sprinted out of the blocks and then set up a brick wall in defence to down Australia 23-12 in their Rugby Championship clash in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
In a match that promised so much from the kick-off, both teams made a number of handling errors as the game progressed.
But it was the visiting Aussies that made more than the Boks and that’s where South Africa ultimately won the match.
Wallabies flyhalf Kurtley Beale set the tone for his team in the first minute of the encounter.
With captain Siya Kolisi, Sikhumbuzo Notshe and centre Andre Esterhuizen putting in some early big hits, scrumhalf Faf de Klerk then raced to put pressure on Beale’s exit kick.
The flyhalf then flung a dangerous skip pass to his outside backs, with Bok wing Aphiwe Dyantyi reading the play well to intercept and dot down for a dream start. It was 7-0 in the first minute.
The Springboks, though, should have doubled their lead a few minutes later with an attacking lineout five metres from the tryline.
But lock Eben Etzebeth saw his attempted catch snapped away by his opposite number.
The Boks still tried to build a buffer and attacked well in the early stages.
But handling errors and poor decision-making let them down.
Their best opportunity came from an attack deep inside the Aussie half when a long pass from Willie le Roux found Handre Pollard on the wing.
He then unleashed captain Siya Kolisi, who thought he was in the clear, but was caught from behind – he should have passed back to Le Roux on his inside.
The Boks did get their second try after 21 minutes.
After Dyantyi fielded a Beale high kick, Pollard expertly beat two defenders and then popped the ball to De Klerk, who sprinted home (12-0).
But then the Wallabies started their comeback and scored two tries in quick succession.
Their first saw Reece Hodge dot down after a good long pass by Aussie scrumhalf Will Genia.
A few minutes later, Hodge collected a De Klerk kick, powered over Cheslin Kolbe and beat Frans Malherbe before being stopped.
Genia then played the short side to unleash wing Marika Koroibete, who passed back to Genia for the try.
Two Pollard penalties saw the Boks take a 20-12 first-half lead.
Another Pollard penalty after a high tackle on Dyantyi in the second half made it 23-12 as the Boks defended their lead to register back-to-back wins and claim second place in this year’s Rugby Championship.
Springboks 23 Wallabies 12
Springboks – Tries:
Aphiwe Dyantyi and Faf de Klerk; Conversions: Handre Pollard (2); Penalties: Pollard (3).
Wallabies – Tries:
Reece Hodge and Will Genia; Conversion: Matt Toomua.