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Australia was ranked third by Victory
Rugby Championship Australia (15), 30 Tries; Ikitau 2, Koroibete 2.; Cons: Cooper 2.; Pens; Cooper 2 South Africa (12). 17 Try: Am; Pens; Pollard 4.
Len Ikitau, Marika Koroibete and Marika Coroibete each scored two tries as Australia won a second consecutive victory over South Africa at the Rugby Championship in Brisbane.
Ikitau touched down twice during the first half. However, the Springboks led through centre Lukhanyo Am just two minutes into the second.
To win a bonus point Australia win, Koroibete scored twice in six minutes.
They are currently third on the table, just one point behind South Africa.
After winning the first three games, New Zealand is now five points ahead of Australia.
South Africa will lose the world number one spot to Argentina if New Zealand defeats Argentina by more 15 points Saturday's second match at Suncorp Stadium.
South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber said, "We were really beaten."
"We were beaten hands down in every aspect - defense, kicking, and attack. This was not a Springboks performance.
Ikitau ran past two defenders and scored the first try shortly after South Africa scrum half Faf de Klerk was given a yellow card.
Ikitau crossed the line for the second time in 21 minutes following Koroibete’s off-load. De Klerk's return revived the Springboks and they reduced the deficit to three points at half-time.
Lachie Swinton, a Wallabies flanker, was yellow-carded after a high tackle against Duane Vermeulen. The visitors quickly took the lead when Am touched down.
Australia took the initiative again thanks to Koroibete's winger, whose first attempt was made by Taniela Tupou’s bold no-look pass.
The second set by Koroibete established a 13 point lead. Australia held firm and repelled South African attacks to win the final stages. This victory came seven days after their 28-26 triumph in Brisbane.
In their next two matches, Australia will face Argentina.
Teams
Australia: Banks. Kellaway. Kerevi. Kerevi. Kerevi. Kerevi. Kerevi. Kerevi. Kerevi. Kerevi. Kerevi. Kerevi. Kerevi. Kerevi. Kerevi. Kerevi. Kerevi. Kerevi. Kerevi. Kerevi. Kerevi. Kerevi. Kerevi. Kerevi. Kerevi. Kerevi. Kerevi. Kerevi.
Alternatives: Kaitu’u, Bell. Robertson. Swain. Samu. McDermott. Hodge. Petaia.
South Africa: Le Roux, Nkosi, Am, De Allende, Mapimpi, Pollard, De Klerk, Nyakane, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Orie, Kolisi, Mostert, Vermeulen.
Replacements: Marx, Kitshoff, Koch, Van Staden, Smith, Wiese, Jantjies, Willemse.
