Australia hold off South Africa 42-38 after four late yellow cards

Australia beat world champions South Africa 42-38 in Perth on Sunday, holding on after four late yellow cards left the Wallabies with 11 players and turned a 25-point lead into a four-point finish.

Max Jorgensen's try in the 64th minute put Australia ahead 42-17 with 16 minutes left. The Springboks then scored three late tries, but ran out of time before they could erase the deficit.

A lead built before the late surge

Len Ikitau scored twice in the first half as Australia went into the break 24-17 ahead. Ben Donaldson also crossed before halftime, while captain Harry Wilson and Jorgensen added tries after the restart. Australia's five tries had put it in control before the closing spell of cards.

South Africa had made 13 changes to its starting lineup after beating New Zealand in Baltimore, according to BBC Sport. The reshaped side fell further behind after halftime, even as coach Rassie Erasmus used all eight replacements early in the second half.

Four yellow cards in nine minutes

Wilson was sent to the sin-bin in the 68th minute, followed by Ryan Lonergan in the 71st and Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i in the 73rd. Hunter Paisami received a fourth yellow card in the 77th minute after a dangerous tackle in the buildup to an Australian intercept try that was ruled out, BBC Sport reported.

South Africa's response included a penalty try, then tries by Morne van den Berg and Ox Nche. Nche's score cut the gap to four points, but Australia held on. The cards were in-match sanctions; the available reports do not establish any further disciplinary outcome.