Australia edge South Africa in Rugby Championship

The Wallabies completed a come-from-behind victory to defeat South Africa 24-20 in the opening round match of the 2015 Rugby Championship. Played in Brisbane Australia appeared on course for a home defeat before Fijian-born centre Tevita Kuridrani crossed for a TMO confirmed try with time up on the clock.

The turn-around featured two tries in the final ten minutes and came after South Africa had held a 20-7 lead. Notably involved for Australia was Toulon mid-fielder Matt Giteau who played his first test match in four years. Australia recently opened up selection to players based abroad who have 60 test caps.

Australia will travel to Mendoza to face Argentina next Saturday. The South Americans are coming off a 39-18 opening round defeat against New Zealand.

Scorers:

Australia
Tries: Ashley-Cooper, Hooper, Kuridrani
Conversions: Cooper 2, Giteau
Penalties: Cooper

South Africa
Tries: Etzebeth, Kriel
Conversions: Pollard 2
Penalties: Pollard 2

Australia
15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Will Skelton, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore (Captain), 1 James Slipper

16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 James Horwill, 20 David Pocock, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Drew Mitchell

South Africa
15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Schalk Burger, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Victor Matfield (Captain), 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira

16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Lodewyk de Jager, 20 Teboho Mohoje, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Lwazi Mvovo