Rugby Championship 2024 as it happened: Wallabies defeated by dominant Springboks in Brisbane

It’s over and that’s definitely not a bad thing for the Wallabies.

An absolutely brutal reality check for Australia after wins against Wales and Georgia. This was a huge step up in opposition and it showed all over the field.

The Wallabies were outmuscled in the forwards and the backline often looked narrow and clueless in attack.

It felt like a South African home game in Suncorp Stadium and the Springboks fed off the energy from their fans.

What had worked in July definitely with high, hanging box kicks from halfback Jake Gordon definitely didn’t work here.

The Springboks had quality all over the field and even when they were two men down due to ill-discipline they didn’t look at all concerned by the Wallabies’ attack.

The Springboks get their first victory at Suncorp Stadium since 2013 and Joe Schmidt will have a huge job on his hands to get his side competitive ahead of next week’s return fixture in Perth.

Full time: Wallabies 7 Springboks 33

Centre Hunter Paisami stops the Wallabies from being zeroed on the scoreboard as his side finally take advantage of the man advantage.

Tate McDermott has made a difference to the pace of the Wallabies’ attack since coming on, and Rob Valetini as ever is courageous with his carries.

It’s been an extremely difficult day for the Wallabies, very little in attack, and smashed back in contact.

Wallabies 7 Springboks 33

Yellow card for Springboks’ hooker Malcolm Marx for a high shot on Wallabies breakaway Rob Valetini.

Perhaps an opportunity to put some sort of pride back into this performance.

There’s another yellow card for the Springboks with Marco van Standen leaving the field for not rolling away, surely the Wallabies can do something with a two man advantage?

Unfortunately not, as Dylan Pietsch knocks on the ball at the crucial moment in a rare attacking chance.

Wallabies 0 Springboks 33

The Wallabies are now in survival mode as South Africa replacement Kwagga Smith crashes over.

Australia just cannot live with the Springboks’ power all over the field.

There is potential to attack all over the field.

There’s another from winger Kurt-Lee Arendse after Jesse Kriel dances through the Wallabies’ defence. This is going to get more difficult.

Wallabies 0 Springboks 33

Second row Nick Frost’s face is battered and swollen and half back Jake Gordon’s head is bandaged.

The step up in physicality from July has been incredible, for all of their brilliance in attack, the Springboks are utterly dominant in defence.

The Wallabies look to have nothing in attack and unable to string together phases.

Joe Schmidt knew that he had a big job on his hands, it looks to have got even bigger in this Rugby Championship.

Wallabies 0 Springboks 21

The Wallabies cough up a crucial lineout inside the Springboks’ 22, with replacement hooker Josh Nasser missing his jumper Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.

The Springboks’ run the ball up the field, and a high kick is barely fielded by fullback Tom Wright who runs into his five-eighth Noah Lolesio.

A few steps forward, many steps back.

It’s not looking good here.

Wallabies 0 Springboks 21

It will take something pretty spectacular for the Wallabies to fight their way back into the game, but there are key work-ons.

Suncorp Stadium has played its role by getting Waltzing Matilda humming, but what about the Wallabies?

The kicking game needs to be sorted out quickly, the Wallabies have barely had the ball, so when they have it they need to ensure that the kicking from the halfbacks is absolutely spot on.

The Wallabies are getting bullied in the scrum and the breakdown, in a huge step up from their July Tests from Georgia and Wales. The pack can at least ensure they are more disciplined at the breakdown with 8 penalties compared to the Boks’ 4.

Wallabies 0 Springboks 21