Rassie Erasmus slams Springboks after Australia overturned a 22-0 deficit to win 38-22 at Ellis Park on Saturday, 16 August 2025. The Wallabies scored 38 unanswered points after the first quarter as South Africa’s accuracy fell away.
“We were really awful, and they were very good, but we made them better,” Erasmus told reporters, adding that coaches “got it terribly wrong” and must look at themselves first.
Australia won key moments at the breakdown and outplayed South Africa at scrum and lineout after Siya Kolisi left injured and Marco van Staden underwent an HIA, Erasmus said. He indicated selection changes are likely for the return Test.
Rankings Shift, Drought Broken, and What’s Next
The defeat ended a 63-year Wallabies drought at Ellis Park and marked only their second win at the Highveld venue. The result also moved South Africa from first to third in the world rankings, with New Zealand climbing to the summit after beating Argentina 41-24 in Córdoba.
Not even the famed “bomb squad” swung momentum, and the world champions face a week of “flak,” Erasmus noted.
“We as coaches got it terribly wrong,” he said, crediting Australia’s tactical and physical edge.
The Springboks meet the Wallabies again at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday at 17:10 SAST. Rassie Erasmus slams Springboks performance and signalled a rethink before the rematch.
Erasmus repeatedly praised Australia’s effort and admitted South Africa “gave away one or two soft tries,”.
No additional statements from SA Rugby or the Wallabies camp were included in the provided sources.
