Australia show steel but South Africa’s Marx makes it back-to-back wins

South Africa's Malcolm Marx (left) is congratulated by Handrè Pollard as Australia’s dogged defence wilted in the final quarter. Photograph: Trevor Collens/AP

For an hour the Wallabies took the world champions to the wire. But when the siren sounded at Perth’s Optus Stadium, Australia were still well beaten, South Africa muscling to a 30-12 victory to notch back-to-back wins in Australia for the first time in 53 years.

In a hard-fought contest waged in teeming rain on sodden turf, the Springboks outclassed an improved Wallabies to remain unbeaten in the Rugby Championship. Last week it had taken Australia 75 minutes to score any points, this week they had three in as many minutes as they won the jump and dominated early collisions.