Rugby Championship: Australia beat South Africa 30-17 in Brisbane

[Animous]

Rugby Championship

Australia (15) 30

Tries: Ikitau 2, Koroibete 2; Cons: Cooper 2; Pens: Cooper 2

South Africa (12) 17

Try: Am; Pens: Pollard 4

Argentina (3) 13

Try: Boffelli; Con: Boffelli; Pens: Boffelli 2

New Zealand (24) 36

Tries: Tuipulotu, Perenara, Vaa'i 2, Taukei'aho; Cons: B Barrett 4; Pen: B Barrett

Len Ikitau and Marika Koroibete scored two tries apiece as Australia secured a second successive victory over world champions South Africa in the Rugby Championship in Brisbane.

Ikitau touched down twice in the first half, although the Springboks took the lead through centre Lukhanyo Am two minutes into the second half.

Koroibete struck twice in six minutes to seal a bonus-point Australia win.

New Zealand reclaimed top spot in the world rankings after beating Argentina.

The All Blacks are now 10 points clear in the Rugby Championship table having won all four of their games while Australia move up to third, one point behind South Africa.

New Zealand's win saw them leapfrog the Springboks into top spot prior to their meeting in Townsville next week.

Rugby Championship table

"We were really beaten," said South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber.

"We got hands down beaten in everything - defence, kicking game, attack. This isn't a performance that was worthy enough for a Springboks performance."

Soon after South Africa scrum-half Faf de Klerk was shown a yellow card for slowing the ball in a ruck, Ikitau sprinted past two defenders to score the opening try.

Ikitau crossed for a second time in the 21st minute following Koroibete's off-load, before De Klerk's return rejuvenated the Springboks as they trimmed the deficit to three points by half-time.

With Wallabies flanker Lachie Swinton yellow-carded for a high tackle on Duane Vermeulen, the visitors quickly snatched the lead after the restart when Am touched down.

However, Australia regained the initiative thanks to winger Koroibete, whose first try was created by Taniela Tupou's audacious no-look pass.

Koroibete's second established a 13-point lead and Australia defended it stoutly, repelling waves of South African attacks in the closing stages to see out a victory - seven days after their dramatic 28-26 win in Brisbane.

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