International Test match
Australia (24) 42
Tries: Ikitau 2, Donaldson, Wilson, Jorgensen Cons: Lonergan 4 Pens: Lonergan 3
South Africa (17) 38
Tries: Grobbelaar, van der Merwe, penalty try, van den Berg, Nche Cons: Pollard 2, Mngomezulu 2 Pens: Pollard
Australia were reduced to 11 men but dug in for an extraordinary win against a much-changed South Africa side as they beat the world champions 42-38 in Perth.
The Wallabies excelled with some vibrant attacking rugby, scoring five tries against the back-to-back World Cup winners to lead by 25 points with 16 minutes left.
But then a manic spell of four yellow cards in nine minutes left the hosts overrun, with South Africa mounting a comeback that ultimately fell just short.
The visitors made 13 changes after beating New Zealand in Baltimore but still fielded a strong starting XV, which boasted 240 caps in the second row alone.
But a year out from hosting the World Cup, and a year on from being soundly beaten on home soil by the Lions, it was the home side who impressed before their bizarre late collapse.
The teams traded early penalties before Springboks hooker Johan Grobbelaar drove over for the first try of the match after a powerful maul.
Australia responded well with a wave of pressure which was rewarded when centre Len Ikitau drove over from a metre out.
Ikitau then flew over for his second after the Boks made a mess of a high ball kicked through, but the lead lasted just three minutes.
South Africa played the ball quickly and flung it out wide with Edwill van der Merwe on the end of a stunning break to score in the corner.
The high level continued as the hosts took the lead again before the break. After 14 patient but quick phases, the Wallabies whipped the ball from right to left to find fly-half Ben Donaldson free to score in the corner.
The Springboks had strength in depth to call on, and coach Rassie Erasmus made all eight changes early in the second half with his side down by 10 points.
But it was Australia who continued to dominate. Captain Harry Wilson was denied a try as his foot was in touch but just seconds later he did burrow over the line close to the posts.
Wing Max Jorgensen then sprinted the length of the pitch to score a stunning solo score after South Africa fumbled the ball to make it 42-17.
Wilson was then sin-binned and South Africa finally got their first score of the second half with a penalty try, with Ryan Lonergan yellow carded as well.
The Wallabies were down to 13 and a crossfield kick found Van der Merwe in the corner but the wing dropped the ball before he could ground it.
Australia wing Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i was then sin-binned as well to leave Australia three men down and replacement scrum-half Morne van den Berg scrambled in to cut the lead to 11 points.
Remarkably Australia then appeared to have scored again as Tom Wright intercepted a pass to run in – only for the try to be ruled out and Hunter Paisami shown a fourth yellow card for a dangerous tackle in the build-up.
South Africa had so much space and scored again through Ox Nche to cut the lead to four but time ran out.
Australia: Wright, Jorgensen, Ikitau, Paisami, Sua’ali’i, Donaldson, Lonergan; Bell, Paenga-Amosa, Alaalatoa, Salakaia-Loto, Williams, Valetini, McReight, Wilson
Replacements: Pollard, Ross, Tupou, Shaw, Hooper, Tizzano, McDermott, Potter
Yellow cards: Wilson 68, Lonergan 71, Sua’ali’i 73, Paisami 77
South Africa: Fassi, Van der Merwe, Moodie, Esterhuizen, Hooker, Pollard, Jantjies; Wessels, Grobbelaar, Porthen, Etzebeth, Mostert, De Villiers, Louw, Van Staden
Replacements: Marx, Nche, Louw, De Jager, Wiese, Van den Berg, Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Horn
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)