Australia storm to convincing win over South Africa in Rugby Championship sweep

Len Ikitau and Marika Koroibete scored two tries apiece as Australia rampaged to a 30-17 victory over South Africa on Saturday, their second win against the reigning world champions in six days.

The 13 points that separated the two teams at Suncorp Stadium is the widest winning margin Australia have recorded against the Springboks since their 39-20 victory in July 2011.

Back-to-back losses against Dave Rennie's men means South Africa will likely need to beat table leaders New Zealand twice in a row if they're to defend the crown they won in 2019.

Quade Cooper again called the shots at fly-half for the Wallabies, but unforced errors and ill discipline were arguably South Africa's greatest enemies on the night.

Only 13 minutes were on the board when Faf de Klerk was sin-binned for slowing ball at the ruck, and Ikitau proved the punisher after crossing over for the game's first score moments later.

Cooper failed to convert on that occasion, though it wouldn't be long before he had a more successful attempt after Ikitau crossed over again shortly after, while De Klerk was still off the field.

The hosts were reduced to 14 men themselves when flanker Lachlan Swinton received a yellow for leading with the shoulder when he attempted to tackle Duane Vermeulen.

Referee Matthew Carley deliberated the incident with his television match official and looked to be reaching for an undeserved red card before changing his mind.

Despite their early struggles and failure to cross the whitewash during the first half, South Africa trailed only 15-12 at the break thanks to Handre Pollard's four penalties.

Do you think South Africa have a chance of retaining their Rugby Championship title following Saturday's defeat? Let us know in the comments section.

Wallabies full-back Tom Banks saw his night come to a premature end after being substituted off in the 28th minute with a suspected broken arm.

But replacement Reece Hodge did a fine job in his absence and steadied matters by and large at the back, helping enact Australia's quick counter play on several occasions in the second period.

It was in fact the Springboks who struck first after the restart as Lukhanyo Am gathered a kick through to put his side ahead 17-15, but that dive signalled an end to South Africa's scoring.

Tighthead prop Taniela Tupou was recalled to the Wallabies XV and impressed in a mighty 78-minute display, with his biggest moment coming in the form of an audacious offload assist to Koroibete.

The Japan-bound winger played the architect himself for Ikitau's second try earlier in Brisbane, but Koroibete benefited from Tupou's masterful technique offloading in contact to surge down the left wing.

Koroibete then capitalised on a slick counter down the same side after Hodge pilfered the ball to put Rennie's men 30-17 ahead with a little more than 10 minutes remaining.

The bonus-point victory wasn't enough to cause any movement in the Rugby Championship standings, but third-place Australia are now only a point behind South Africa ahead of back-to-back meetings with Argentina.

Pace-setters New Zealand can therefore stretch their lead at the summit to 10 points if they snatch another bonus-point win over the Pumas later on Saturday.

That result would mean South Africa need to beat the All Blacks twice in the space of a week to stand a chance at finishing first themselves, having last defeated New Zealand twice in a row all the way back in 2009.

The Wallabies won't have any chance at the title themselves, but two straight wins over the Springboks and a pair of very encouraging displays will feel like an accolade of its own.

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