Arendse hat-trick hands Eddie a reality check at Loftus
MATCH REPORT: The Springboks made a big statement, beating the Wallabies 43-12 in the Rugby Championship opener at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
It was an impressive performance by the South African squad - which only contained nine of the 23 players who beat England in Japan to win the 2019 World Cup.
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Eight other survivors of the 2019 final squad headed to New Zealand, where they will acclimatise for a July 15 Test.
The Springboks were incredible, scoring six tries, including a hat-trick by Kurt-Lee Arendse during the Loftus romp.
Manie Libbok added nine points with the boot in his first Bok start - three conversions and one penalty.
The match was a big reality check for Eddie Jones, who started his second stint in charge of the Wallabies in devastating fashion.
The side opened the scoring but struggled, eventually settling for two tries scored by Marika Koroibete and Carter Gordon.
Ill discipline cost the Wallabies dearly after half-time as David Porecki and Suliasi Vunivalu were sent to the sin bin having conceded penalty tries.
The result extends the Wallabies' losing streak at Loftus Versfeld.
They have now played eight Tests at the 52 000-capacity ground in the capital and lost every time.
One of the biggest defeats was humiliating - 22-61 in 1997 - while the closest they came to success was in 2001 when they fell 15-20.
Australia were the first to score on as a passing movement set up Koroibete to brush off Andre Esterhuizen and score in the corner. Reece Hodge failed to convert.
Hodge fluffs kicks
Manie Libbok, whose kick dropped just short with an ambitious penalty attempt from his half, succeeded with his second effort closer to the posts and South Africa were on the scoreboard.
Arendse scored his first try on 16 minutes to put the Springboks ahead as pressure pushed the Wallabies back and when the ball went wide, the wing had the simple task of dotting down.
Libbok converted and, within eight minutes, the reigning world champions had turned a five-point deficit into a five-point advantage.
Hodge was wide with a long-range penalty shot before Arendse struck again at the ground where he plays his club rugby for the Bulls.
He darted down the blindside to score and a high conversion kick from Libbok sailed between the post for a 17-5 lead they retained until half-time.
Australia had a chance to reduce arrears after the hooter sounded to signal the end of the first half, but Hodge failed again, with his 66-metre shot falling short.
Instead of an Australian recovery in the second half, South Africa took control and Arendse completed his hat-trick on 51 minutes by wriggling past three defenders to score.
Then the Wallabies got worst with two penalty tries which left South Africa 36-5 ahead with a quarter of the match still to be played.
Pieter-Steph du Toit barged over for another Springbok try, converted by Libbok, before substitute, Gordon scored a late consolation try which he converted.
Man of the match: The Springboks were so incredible there are a couple of contenders for this award. Jean Kleyn deserves a mention for work at the line-outs in his debut. Marco van Staden was one of the standout performers in the pack. He made solid carries and powered over Wallabies' defenders with ease. Manie Libbok managed to shake off his early missed penalty and gradually started to find his rhythm, producing a commanding performance. Andre Esterhuizen was an absolute beast. Every time he had the ball, he made metres and broke defences with some monster carries. However, our nod goes to Springboks wing Kurt-Lee Arendse. The star is certainly putting up a great fight for that No.11 jersey. He was lethal on attack and scored a hat-trick of tries.
The scorers:
For South Africa:
Tries: Arendse 3, Penalty tries 2, P. Du Toit
Cons: Libbok 3, Penalty try does not need a conversion 2
Pen: Libbok
For Australia:
Tries: Koroibete, Gordan
Con: Gordan
Yellow cards: David Porecki (Australia, 54 - illegally stopping the maul and preventing a try), Suliasi Vunivalu (Australia, 68 - deliberate knockdown and preventing a try)
Teams
South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Evan Roos, 21 Deon Fourie, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Damian Willemse
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Suliasi Vunivalu, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Reece Hodge, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 David Porecki, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Matt Gibbon, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Richie Arnold, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Samu Kerevi, 23 Carter Gordon
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
*Additional source: AFP
*Photo credit: Johan Orton