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Wallabies miracle comeback win breaks 62-year hoodoo
Sam Kosack • August 17th, 2025 12:12 pm
The Wallabies have pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in rugby history, defeating the Springboks at the infamous Ellis Park for the first time in over six decades.
In a win being described as one of the Wallabies all-time greatest, the Aussies were down 22-0 after only 20 minutes before rallying to walk away 38-22 victors.
The win didn't come without its injury costs - captain Harry Wilson suffering a potential ACL injury and winger Dylan Pietsch taken off after a possible broken jaw - but the win will go down in Wallabies history as one of the finest, and certainly a legacy match for outgoing coach Joe Schmidt who departs in mid-2026.
The Springboks are the number one rated side in the world compared to the Wallabies in sixth, with even Schmidt surprised by the comeback.
"I'm just blown away a little bit by the way they stayed in the game," Schmidt said post-game.
"Because at 22-0 down after 20 minutes it would be easy to fall out of the game.
"I know how much it means to them. They're incredibly proud of the gold jersey that they wear and the bond that they're forming between themselves."
The match saw Nic White run out for the Wallabies again due to an injury to Jake Gordon, despite having played what was supposed to be his retirement test against the Lions.
It also marked the return of veteran flyhalf James O'Connor, who hadn't played a Test since 2022.
17 years on from his initial Wallabies debut, O'Connor reflected on the win as his favourite from his career.
"Words can’t describe it. We kept squeezing the screws, I’m super proud, I’m stoked,” O'Connor said.
"There’s been plenty of times when I thought I might have bitten off more than I can chew.
"That’s definitely my favourite win. It meant so much.
"There’s been a lot of emotion this week, a lot of reflection. I thought my time in the gold jersey was done three years ago.
"I fought bloody hard to get back here and the opportunity came after some of the guys got injured, but I’m here now and I’m loving it.”
The Wallabies continue their Rugby Championship campaign in a rematch against the Springboks on August 24.
