ANALYSIS: The Wallabies produced some second half class to run down the Springboks but it was their hidden work that delivered the magic.
The visitors never gave up as they rallied from 22-0 down for a 38-22 victory that will live on in history.
It was a world class performance across the park for Joe Schmidt's men to end a 62-year drought at Ellis Park.
Rugby.com.au breaks down ten big moments from the game that inspired the win.
In order to start a comeback, you must stop the onslaught of points and that is what Fraser McReight’s steal on Malcolm Marx achieved.
McReight had success sniping around the ruck early on the game but this moment on the hooker allowed the visitors to calm the game down and dictate the pace.
As the Springboks looked unstoppable, it took the sensational pilferer to get Australia back in the contest.
Len Ikitau’s work to set up Dylan Pietsch’s try will be used by coaches for years to come.
His effort rate is non stop throughout the 80 minutes and this was no different, wrapping around after setting up James O’Connor to collect the offload and put Pietsch over untouched.
It’s easy to forget Ikitau only found himself in that position because he had already taken a tough carry two phases earlier.
The success of the Wallabies’ comeback came as a result of their ability to engage the Springboks in a battle out wide, with a late break in the half setting the platform.
The Wallabies showed earlier on that they weren’t afraid to attack from their own half, and this was no different, getting outside of the defence for Andrew Kellaway to race clear.
Whilst it only ended in a goal-line dropout, the ease at which they found space from the cut-out ball would be a common factor in the second half.
With the Wallabies down by 17, there was a pair of tackles on their line that deserve recognition.
With the Springboks on the 22, Andrew Kellaway made a delightful legs tackle on Siya Kolisi before Ikitau produced a similar tackle on Andre Esterhuizen, who’d been dominant early, to force a frustrated Springboks penalty.
It was one of several moments where a promising attack from the hosts was met by a gold wall that refused to give up.
It looks very minimal but the work of Will Skelton to stop a five metre maul was crucial.
Skelton timed his work perfectly to disrupt the transfer from Lood de Jager to force the mistake.
So many times the Wallabies have conceded before the break and it has halted momentum.
Tom Hooper has come on leaps and bounds in 2025, with his steal early in the second half a big impact play.
Hooper’s strength and timing were unreal to stop South Africa shortly after Harry Wilson’s first try, coming up with the pilfer.
It was another key battle and moment the Wallabies won that killed the Springboks’ belief .
Another case of forwards working hard, Billy Pollard and Nick Frost’s defensive work were excellent throughout the game.
But their work in the 55th minute to shadow the Springboks' attack and work their way to the edge of the ruck to force the mistake typified Australia’s effort.
All night, the Wallabies were second best under the high ball, losing their first five contestable kicks.
But when it mattered, Max Jorgensen came up with a beauty to force the error.
It provided the broken space that Tom Wright thrives in, creating the magic for Wilson’s second to put Australia up.
With the Springboks throwing everything at the Wallabies, Nick Frost’s massive lineout steal was one of many for the big lock.
Frost has been exceptional in 2025 and it’s a credit to the work of Geoff Parking and now Tom Donnelly within the Wallabies’ lineout defence.
The visitors caused trouble all night, and their steal with ten to go further hampered the South Africa charge.
Fraser McReight’s status as best on ground was sealed with his latest pilfer penalty to halt the Springboks' comeback and secure the win.
Deep inside their half, the Reds superstar did enough work around Eben Etzebeth to force the illegal cleanout and the subsequent penalty.
Three minutes later, Wright was running down the wing to seal the game.
