Kurt-Lee Arendse delivered a masterclass performance as South Africa stormed to a dominant 33-7 victory over Australia in their opening Castle Lager Rugby Championship match in Brisbane on Saturday.
Arendse, who crossed the try line twice, was at the heart of the Springboks’ clinical display, showcasing the power, class, and experience that have made them back-to-back world champions.
The Springboks overwhelmed the Wallabies, who struggled to cope with the relentless pressure from the South Africans.
The victory, which equaled South Africa’s largest win margin in Australia (26 points), marked only their seventh win on Australian soil in 35 attempts since 1993. Arendse’s contributions were instrumental in securing this rare and emphatic triumph.
From the outset, the Springboks took control of the game, with three tries in the first half that set the tone for their comprehensive victory.
Captain Siya Kolisi opened the scoring, driving over the line from a maul after a well-executed lineout move. Pieter-Steph du Toit followed up with a try after cutting back on an angle from a well-weighted pass by debutant fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Arendse, one of the standout performers of the match, added the third try of the half in spectacular fashion.
He turned loose ball from a halted maul into a scintillating score, dancing past static Wallaby forwards to dot down behind the posts. This marked Arendse’s 16th try in 19 Tests, further cementing his reputation as one of the deadliest finishers in world rugby.
Despite the Wallabies’ efforts, they were unable to gain a foothold in the match, with the Springboks’ defense holding firm throughout the first half.
Australia’s first real opportunity in the Bok 22 came in the final minute of the half, but even after nine phases of play, they were unable to breach the South African defense, knocking the ball on and ending the half trailing 21-0.
The Springboks could have led by a larger margin at halftime, having spurned a few scoring opportunities.
Willie le Roux was denied a try after being held up short of the line, and Arendse was tackled five meters out on another occasion. Despite these missed chances, the Boks’ dominance in the set pieces and their tactical acumen ensured a commanding lead at the break.
The second half saw the Springboks continue their relentless assault. Replacement loose forward Kwagga Smith powered over from five meters out after a series of forward drives to extend the lead. Arendse quickly added his second try of the match, his 17th in Test rugby, just two minutes later.
The winger showcased his electric pace, scampering in from 40 meters after Jesse Kriel broke the Wallaby defensive line and delivered a perfect pass.
Australia finally broke their duck in the 76th minute when center Hunter Paisami scored a consolation try after the Boks had been reduced to 13 men due to yellow cards for Malcolm Marx (for head contact) and Marco van Staden (for not rolling away).
Kriel was also shown a yellow card in the dying moments for a deliberate knock-on, reducing the Boks to 13 players for the second time. However, the Springboks’ defensive resilience ensured there were no further points for the Wallabies.
The Wallabies, who had shown promise under new coach Joe Schmidt with three opening wins of the season, were thoroughly outclassed by the Springboks.
The hosts struggled to make an impact against the well-drilled South African side, who controlled possession and territory for most of the match.
In the end, the Wallabies had to bow to the mastery of the Springboks, who demonstrated why they are the team to beat in world rugby.
With the victory, the Boks have laid down a marker in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, and their performance will send a clear message to their rivals: the reigning world champions are not resting on their laurels.
Kurt-Lee Arendse’s dazzling display, coupled with the overall dominance of the Springboks, highlighted a match that will be remembered as a masterclass in rugby excellence.
The Springboks now turn their attention to the next challenge, while the Wallabies will need to regroup and address the gaps exposed by their formidable opponents.
Source: SA Rugby
