SA Rugby
It was a first-half showing the Springboks would rather forget for several reasons.
After conceding a converted try in the opening two minutes and then a penalty goal soon afterwards, they found themselves 10-0 behind with hardly a hand laid on the ball during that period.
A string of basic errors in the first half meant the Springboks could never get into their stride, while the Wallabies made a perfect, fast start to the game which set the tone for their first-half performance.
When the Boks finally got some passes going and ventured into the Wallaby danger zone, they committed several handling errors which relieved the pressure on the Australians.
Just before halftime Bok scrumhalf, Faf de Klerk was yellow carded for foul play on opposite number Nic White.
Springbok Jacques Nienaber sent on Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Kwagga Smith, Franco Mostert, Frans Steyn, Jaden Hendrikse and Elton Jantjies as replacements in the second half in an effort to lift the tempo.
This move was somewhat successful with Kwagga Smith scoring the only two tries for the Boks, however, the fight back came too late as the Wallabies left the pitch as 25-17 winners, and South Africa now must go back to the drawing board for the next week’s rematch in Sydney.
The Boks have not won a test in Australia since 2013.
