Pollard leads Bokke to win in Cape Town

A second Rugby Championship clash in Cape Town ends with the Springboks defeating the Wallabies 30-22 behind Handre Pollard’s disciplined kicking.

Pollard leads Springboks to victory against Wallabies in Cape Town

Handre Pollard controlled the game with calm accuracy, scoring three penalties and two conversions while also delivering a sharp cross-field kick that set Canan Moodie up for the opening try. The Springboks built a 20-7 lead by the 34th minute and held on as Australia fought back with a try from Max Jorgensen and a late push that forced Pollard to convert the winning margin to 30-22. The result comes after a difficult week for South Africa, but the home team answered with disciplined pressure and tactical kicking that kept Australia at arm's length.

The Wallabies showed flashes of promise but could not sustain pressure in the closing stages. Australia missed three penalties in the final minutes, including two by James O'Connor, letting the Bokke keep the lead. In the end, South Africa regains momentum in Cape Town and moves closer to a strong standing in the Rugby Championship.

One result, several signals. Pollard's steady boot and the cross-field weapon underline how much coaching now relies on accuracy under pressure. The Bokke leaned into defending a slender lead and using penalty goals to manage the clock, a strategy that can win tight matches but also risks turning games into kick-fests if the rhythm slips.

The Wallabies showed resilience but still lack consistency when the pace intensifies. Their young talents remain bright spots, yet finishing and decision making in key moments will determine whether they can convert a series into something more than a single win. The Cape Town win keeps the series alive and reveals how small margins separate a good team from a great one.

Highlights

The Rugby Championship moves on with tougher tests ahead.