South Africa vs Australia live: Wallabies thrash Springboks in stunning start to Rugby Championship

Australia rallied from 22-0 down as captain Harry Wilson scored two tries in a stunning 38-22 bonus-point victory over South Africa in their Rugby Championship opener on Saturday, the Wallabies' first victory at Ellis Park since 1963.

South Africa raced into a commanding lead inside the first quarter through tries by wing Kurt-Lee Arendse, centre Andre Esterhuizen and number eight Siya Kolisi, but their Achilles heel this season has been the breakdown and it was there that Australia began to take control.

The Springboks led 22-5 at halftime but Australia came alive in the second period and were excellent in soaking up pressure and hitting the world champions with fast breaks as they won on South African soil for the first time in 14 years.

Winger Dylan Pietsch, centre Joseph Suaalii, winger Max Jorgensen and Tom Wright also crossed for the visitors in one of Australia’s greatest Test wins.

South Africa 22 (Kurt-Lee Arendse, Andre Esterhuizen, Siya Kolisi tries; Manie Libbok 2 conversions, penalty).

Australia 38 (Harry Wilson 2, Dylan Pietsch, Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i, Max Jorgensen, Tom Wright tries; James O'Connor 4 conversions).

HT: 5-22.

Some pictures from Australia’s memorable second half:

What an unbelievable match of rugby. South Africa led 22-0; then Australia blitzed six tries, scoring 38 unanswered points to win comfortably.

That was one of the great Australian performances on foreign soil, at the Springboks’ spiritual home, Ellis Park, no less. Wow.

79 min: Australia go sniffing for one more score – they’re getting greedy now – but it’s held up on the line.

Tate McDermott collects a bouncing ball in his own half and darts through the Springboks’ defence, making 50 yards. South Africa come back at Australia but they are stretched and when they spill it back into gold hands, Tom Wright is free to counter all the way up the field before diving over for another try, their sixth!. This is going to be famous win for Australia.

O’Connor misses from wide right.

70 min: The Springboks have a lineout on the Australian 22 after Tom Wright kicks out on the full. Can South Africa get themselves back into the game? No – they concede a penalty at the breakdown after excellent work by Fraser McReight.

What is going on here?! Max Jorgensen receives a long pass and drives down the right wing. He still has lots to do but does it masterfully, darting inside before stepping back out again, deceiving a couple of tacklers en route to another try – Australia’s fifth without reply.

O’Connor kicks two more.

What a turnaround!! Harry Wilson goes with Tom Wright’s line break and he’s there in support to run it home under the posts! The only problem for Australia is that their captain looks to have injured his right leg, possibly his knee, in the process. He’s done here.

62 min: Rasie Erasmus makes changes to his creaking Springboks: Mbonambi, Venter and Ntlabakanye are all on in the front-row as Reinach takes up his station at scrum-half.

Joseph Suaalii reads an ambitious long pass and zooms freely to the posts for Australia’s third try! O’Connor adds the extras.