Leicester Tigers 25/26 recruit James O'Connor has led Australia to their first win at Ellis Park in more than 60 years.
The 35-year-old, who will join the club after his commitments with the Wallabies in the Rugby Championship, was called into the Australian squad for the 2025 tournament after being overlooked in the series defeat to the British & Irish Lions.
Starting at fly-half, O'Connor proved a justified selection after guiding the youthful Wallabies squad to the 16-point, 22-38, win.
The Springboks shot out of the blocks to lead 22-0 after just 18 minutes, but that is where their points-scoring would end, with Australia scoring 38 unanswered points to produce the comeback victory and end a 62-year hoodoo at the historic Ellis Park.
A try late in the first half meant the Wallabies trailed by 17 points, 22-5, at halftime and then added 33 points in the second 40 minutes, including four conversions from O'Connor, to silence the home crowd and kick off their Rugby Championship campaign in memorable fashion.
O'Connor and his Australian teammates remain in South Africa for a second round meeting with the 'Boks, next Saturday in Cape Town, before returning down under for back-to-back home games against Argentina - featuring former Leicester Tigers hooker Julián Montoya - in Rounds 3 and 4. Their final fortnight includes a trip to New Zealand before facing the All Blacks back in Australia in Round 6.
