There was no match for Eddie Jones’ first manager of the Wallabies. South Africa took place this Saturday in Pretoria in front of 50,089 spectators, who came to witness their team’s victory in the first match of the 2023 rugby championship, 43-12 against Australia. Victory improved with six tries for the men of Jacques Nienaber, without a majority of holders, pending the meeting between Argentina and New Zealand (9:10 p.m.).
However, it was Australia who got off to the best start thanks to a 7th-minute try from winger Marika Koroibete at the end of the line. But behind the South African furia made the difference. The reigning world champions (2019) walked on their opponents of the day. A penalty from Manie Libbok quietly launched the Springboks before a double from the intractable Blue Bulls winger Kurt-Lee Arendse (16th, 31st).
Defensively rough and disciplined as usual, Duane Vermeulen’s teammates kept the Wallabies from scoring again, forcing Reece Hodge to attempt two long range penalties, unsuccessfully.
In the second half there was simply no match between the two teams. Australia only suffered and played in their camp without having a single opportunity to counter. Except on the mermaid and Carter Gordon’s try amid a disorganized defense.
Kurt-Lee Arendse continued his festival with a 3rd try (50th). The man of the match flew over the meeting by registering his 10th try in 8 selections. Strong in their power, the Springboks did not stop to establish their domination with two additional penalty tries, granted by the New Zealand referee of the meeting Mr. O’Keefe (54th and 68th) before the best player World Cup 2019 Pieter-Steph du Toit also finished behind the line (75th).
Total success and a major performance for South Africans who will go to New Zealand next week and host Argentina the following week during a 2023 edition of the rugby championship shortened due to the World Cup (September 8 – 28 october).
