Australia seek a first win at Loftus Versfeld as Eddie Jones begins his second stint in charge of the Wallabies
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South Africa put Australia to the sword as Eddie Jones’s second stint in charge of the Wallabies got off to a disastrous start.
Kurt-Lee Arendse’s hat-trick powered the Springboks to a seven-try 43-12 victory in Pretoria as the hosts flexed their strength.
Jacques Nienaber had named a side short of several regular first-choice stars for the Rugby Championship opener, but it mattered not as Australia were blown away.
Showing early attacking ambition and then taking full control with their power game, South Africa produced a statement performance in their first fixture of this World Cup year.
Australia twice had players sent to the sin bin after conceding penalty tries, Dave Porecki shown a yellow card after hauling down a ball before Suliasi Vunivalu’s deliberate knock on denied Arendse a walk-in fourth score.
It leaves Jones with plenty of thinking to do as Australia prepare to host Argentina in Sydney next weekend.
Argentina welcome New Zealand to Mendoza later on Saturday in round one’s other fixture.
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Eddie Jones admits woeful Australia need quick improvement after South Africa drubbing
Australia were not good enough in every department and thoroughly outplayed by a rampant South Africa but coach Eddie Jones believes they will be better for the lessons learnt in their 43-12 Rugby Championship loss in Pretoria on Saturday.
Jones cut a disconsolate figure as he assessed the manner in which his side were picked apart by a Springbok team who scored six tries despite being without several of their regulars who were sent as an advanced party to New Zealand for next weekend’s fixture against the All Blacks in Auckland.
“We were outplayed everywhere, beaten in every department,” Jones told reporters. “Really disappointing but no excuses. We got a realistic appraisal of where we are as a team.”
Australia conceded two penalty tries, received two yellow cards and were forced into numerous errors with ball in hand.
“The discipline breakdown comes from pressure,” Jones said. “If you look at the stats, they (South Africa) had 66% territory and 66% possession. We were forced into the errors.
“There is a game next week (against Argentina in Sydney) and we will be better. It is a bad day at the office and we have to front up and play better than that.
“The only positive we got from the game is the first 20 minutes, we tried to play with pace and we looked dangerous but were not able to sustain that effort.”
Jones praised South Africa’s attack and wing Kurt-Lee Arendse, who scored a hat-trick of tries.
“They were good today. Good with their forward carry, they moved the ball skilfully. They took their opportunities. (Arendse) is a real talent to come out of the South Afri
…. to be continued
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