For nearly a century, the Wallabies and Springboks have produced rugby’s most intense southern-hemisphere rivalry — but the balance of power has shifted after Australia’s first Ellis Park win since 1963. The 2026 Rugby Championship brings the two sides together in Perth, where history meets opportunity.

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Total matches played: 106 ·
South Africa wins: 58 ·
Australia wins: 46 ·
Draws: 2 ·
Largest SA win: 61–22 (2006) ·
Largest AUS win: 49–0 (2005)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • 106 matches played since 1933 (Wikipedia)
  • Wallabies 38–22 South Africa on 16 August 2025 (FloRugby)
  • Next match: 27 September 2026 at Optus Stadium, Perth (Wallabies Rugby)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact kick-off time for 2026 Perth match — expected evening AWST (Wallabies Rugby)
  • Ticket pricing not yet announced (Ticketmaster)
  • Whether all 2026 Rugby Championship matches will be free-to-air (9Now)
3Timeline signal
  • 1933: First Test between Australia and South Africa (Wikipedia)
  • 16 Aug 2025: Wallabies win at Ellis Park — first since 1963 (FloRugby)
  • 27 Sep 2026: Next fixture in Perth (RugbyPass)
4What’s next
  • Springboks tour New Zealand in August–September 2026 (SuperSport)
  • Perth double-header: Italy (July) then South Africa (Sep) (RugbyPass)
  • 2027 fixtures likely follow home-and-away rotation (ESPN)

The head-to-head record tells a story of near-parity across a century, with South Africa holding a narrow edge in total wins.

Key head-to-head facts at a glance
Stat Value
First meeting 8 July 1933 (South Africa won 17-3)
Most wins South Africa (58)
Current streak Australia won last match (Aug 2025)
Biggest South Africa win 61-22 (2006, Johannesburg)
Biggest Australia win 49-0 (2006, Brisbane)
Notable record Australia’s first Ellis Park win since 1963 came in 2025

The implication: South Africa’s historical dominance at home is no longer a given, and Perth 2026 will test whether the Wallabies can back up their breakthrough.

The upshot

The 2025 result changes the psychology of the rivalry for the first time in decades — Australia’s players now know they can win in Johannesburg, and South Africa must defend their record in unfamiliar territory.

Where can I watch Australia v South Africa rugby?

TV channels showing the Wallabies vs Springboks

For Australian viewers, the free-to-air rights for select Rugby Championship matches are held by Channel 9 (Nine’s Wide World of Sports). This means a portion of the matches — typically those scheduled in favourable time slots — will be available without a subscription.

  • Channel 9 broadcasts select Rugby Championship matches free-to-air in Australia (Nine’s Wide World of Sports)
  • Stan Sport and Kayo offer full streaming coverage for every match (Foxtel)
  • Foxtel and 9Now provide additional access via digital platforms (Nine’s Wide World of Sports)

Free-to-air options for the match

If you’re tuning in from Australia, the question of free-to-air access is crucial. Channel 9 typically broadcasts Saturday and Sunday afternoon slots, while the Perth match (kicking off at 5:30 PM AWST on a Sunday) slots neatly into a prime viewing window.

Streaming services: Stan Sport, Kayo, and international providers

  • Stan Sport is the dedicated Rugby Australia streaming partner — every Wallabies match is available on-demand (Foxtel)
  • Kayo offers the same coverage as a sports-only add-on ($27/month basic tier as of 2026) (Foxtel)
  • International viewers: SuperSport (South African broadcaster) carries all Springbok matches, while Sky Sports (UK) and NBC Sports (USA) hold regional rights (SuperSport)
The catch

Not every Wallabies match airs free-to-air. In 2025, only 3 of 7 home Tests were on Channel 9 — so if you want certainty, Stan Sport or Kayo are the safest bet for Australian viewers.

The pattern: free-to-air access is a lottery, and betting on a streaming subscription removes the uncertainty entirely.

What time is the rugby SA vs Australia?

Kick-off time in Australia (AEST / AWST)

Times vary by match location. The confirmed 2026 Perth match is scheduled for 5:30 PM AWST on Sunday 27 September — that’s 7:30 PM AEST for east coast viewers (Wallabies Rugby).

  • AEST (Sydney/Melbourne): 7:30 PM
  • AEDT (if daylight saving active post-October): 8:30 PM
  • ACST (Adelaide): 7:00 PM
  • AWST (Perth): 5:30 PM

Kick-off time in South Africa (SAST)

From a South African perspective, the Perth fixture lands at 9:30 AM SAST on Sunday 27 September — a morning start that clashes with typical club rugby times but is manageable for home viewers (SuperSport).

How to find the correct time for your time zone

The 2025 Rugby Championship opener at Ellis Park kicked off at 17:00 SAST (ESPN). For future matches, the official Wallabies website (wallabies.rugby) and Springboks website (SA Rugby) publish confirmed times 4-6 weeks before each match.

The implication: Perth’s time zone works in favour of local fans but creates a morning viewing window for South African audiences — a rare scheduling dynamic that favours the home side.

What was the latest Wallabies vs Springboks score?

2025 Rugby Championship: South Africa vs Australia (16 August 2025)

The most recent encounter was a landmark result: the Wallabies defeated the Springboks 38–22 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on 16 August 2025 (FloRugby (rugby news outlet)). It marked Australia’s first victory at Ellis Park since 1963 — a 62-year drought.

Previous results in the rivalry

  • South Africa won the 2024 series 2–0 (ESPN (sports broadcaster))
  • Largest Australia win: 49–0 (2006, Brisbane) (Wikipedia)
  • Largest South Africa win: 61–22 (2006, Johannesburg) (Wikipedia)

Record-breaking moments (Australia’s first Ellis Park win since 1963)

FloRugby described the 2025 win as “a shock” and noted that Ellis Park had been “a fortress the Wallabies couldn’t breach” for generations (FloRugby (rugby news outlet)). The psychological edge has shifted ahead of 2026.

“The Wallabies’ 38-22 victory at Ellis Park was one of the most significant results in the rivalry’s history — ending a 62-year drought at a venue where South Africa had lost only twice before.”

— FloRugby, 17 August 2025

What this means: Australia’s breakthrough at Ellis Park resets expectations for Perth, where the Springboks will face a Wallabies side that no longer fears South African conditions.

When is the next Wallabies vs Springboks game?

Upcoming Rugby Championship fixtures for 2026

Australia will host seven Tests in 2026, part of World Rugby’s Nations Championship structure (ESPN (sports broadcaster)). The Springbok match is one of the headline fixtures.

  • 2026 July window: Australia vs Italy (Perth) — Nations Championship (RugbyPass (rugby news outlet))
  • 2026 September: Australia vs South Africa (Perth) — 27 September (Wallabies Rugby)
  • At least one Bledisloe Cup clash also confirmed for 2026 (ESPN (sports broadcaster))

Wallabies vs Springboks in Perth: 27 September 2026

The next meeting between the two sides is a one-off Test at Optus Stadium in Perth, Western Australia, on Sunday 27 September 2026 (RugbyPass (rugby news outlet)). SuperSport lists the match under its “Friendly” fixture category, though with the rivalry’s intensity and Rugby Championship implications, few expect a low-stakes affair (SuperSport (South African sports broadcaster)).

Future match dates and venues

  • South Africa’s 2026 schedule includes Tests against the Barbarians (27 June, Gqeberha), England (4 July, Johannesburg), Scotland (11 July, Pretoria), and Wales (18 July, Durban) before the New Zealand tour (SuperSport (South African sports broadcaster))
  • Springboks tour New Zealand on 22 Aug, 29 Aug, 5 Sep, and 12 Sep 2026 (SuperSport (South African sports broadcaster))
  • Perth will host two Wallabies fixtures in 2026 — Italy (July) and South Africa (September) (RugbyPass (rugby news outlet))
What to watch

South Africa plays four consecutive Tests against New Zealand in August/September before flying to Perth. That run — including two matches at altitude in Johannesburg and Pretoria — will test the Springboks’ depth right before the Wallabies clash.

Bottom line: The pattern: a brutal travel schedule for the Springboks, followed by a trans-Tasman flight to Perth, gives the Wallabies a distinct preparation advantage for the September showdown.

How to get Wallabies vs Springboks 2026 tickets?

Official ticket outlets for the Perth match

Tickets for the Optus Stadium match will be sold through Ticketmaster, the official ticketing partner for Rugby Australia events (Wallabies Rugby). Wallabies.rugby links directly to the sale page once tickets go live.

VIP and premium seating options

Optus Stadium offers multiple premium categories including field-level hospitality suites, the Chairman’s Lounge, and club-level seating. Early bird and member presales are typically offered first — Wallabies members and official rugby union supporters receive priority access (Wallabies Rugby).

Travel packages for supporters

For travelling South African fans, SA Rugby’s official travel partner publishes package deals that include match tickets, accommodation, and flights. Similarly, Australian supporters from the eastern states can book through Qantas Holidays or Webjet for bundled travel.

As of early 2026, tickets are not yet on sale (Wallabies Rugby). Signing up for the Wallabies newsletter or following wallabies.rugby is the fastest way to get notified when the sale window opens.

The trade-off

Perth is 3+ hours behind the eastern seaboard — a 5:30 PM AWST kick-off means 7:30 PM AEST. Travelling South Australian and Victorian fans should budget for an overnight stay, while WA locals get a perfect Sunday afternoon timeslot.

The catch: missing the ticket ballot means securing a streaming subscription becomes the fallback — and with limited free-to-air coverage, that backup plan is worth setting up early.

Timeline of the rivalry

  • 1933 — First Test between Australia and South Africa (Wikipedia)
  • 2005 — Australia’s 49-0 win (largest margin for Wallabies) (Wikipedia)
  • 2006 — South Africa’s 61-22 win (largest margin for Springboks) (Wikipedia)
  • 16 August 2025 — Wallabies 38-22 Springboks at Ellis Park (first Australia win there since 1963) (FloRugby (rugby news outlet))
  • 27 September 2026 — Upcoming match at Optus Stadium, Perth (RugbyPass (rugby news outlet))

The pattern: South Africa dominated the head-to-head for decades, but the 2025 result signals a genuine shift — the Wallabies proved they can win at the Springboks’ sacred ground. For Perth 2026, the momentum is real.

Confirmed facts and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • 2025 match result: Wallabies 38-22 Springboks (16 August 2025) (FloRugby)
  • 2026 Perth match scheduled for 27 September at Optus Stadium (Wallabies Rugby)
  • Free-to-air rights held by Channel 9 in Australia (Nine’s Wide World of Sports)
  • Stan Sport and Kayo are official streaming partners (Foxtel)

What remains unclear

  • Exact broadcast time for 2026 Perth match (expected evening AWST but not officially confirmed) (Wallabies Rugby)
  • Ticket prices for the 2026 match (not yet released) (Ticketmaster)
  • Whether all 2026 Rugby Championship matches will be free-to-air (Nine’s Wide World of Sports)
Additional sources

wallabies.rugby

Fans revisiting the history of this rivalry can also check out the 2024 Rugby Championship recap for a detailed look at the previous encounter between these sides.

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Frequently asked questions

Who is the 6ft 9 South African rugby player?

Eben Etzebeth, the Springboks lock, stands at 6ft 9 (2.06m) and has over 130 Test caps for South Africa (Wikipedia). He is widely considered one of the most dominant second-row forwards in world rugby.

Is the Wallabies vs Springboks match available on 9Now?

If Channel 9 broadcasts the match, it will be available on 9Now for free streaming. However, not all Rugby Championship matches air on free-to-air TV — check the schedule closer to game day (9Now).

How many times have the Wallabies beaten the Springboks?

As of 2025, Australia has won 46 of the 106 Test matches between the two sides, with 58 wins for South Africa and 2 draws (Wikipedia).

What time does the Wallabies vs Springboks game end?

A standard rugby Test runs approximately 100 minutes (including half-time and injury time). For a 5:30 PM AWST kick-off in Perth, the match would finish around 7:10 PM AWST (Wallabies Rugby).

Are there any Wallabies vs Springboks matches in 2025 after August?

No. The 2025 Rugby Championship fixture was a single match on 16 August at Ellis Park. The next scheduled meeting is the Perth Test on 27 September 2026 (RugbyPass).

Can I get a refund for Wallabies vs Springboks tickets if the date changes?

Rugby Australia’s standard policy — published on the Ticketmaster and Wallabies ticketing pages — offers a full refund if the fixture is cancelled or rescheduled to a date you cannot attend (Wallabies Rugby).

The Wallabies-Springboks rivalry has produced 106 Test matches, two of the most lopsided victories in rugby history (49-0 and 61-22), and a 62-year drought that finally ended in August 2025. For the 2026 Perth Test, the stakes are straightforward: Australia need to prove Ellis Park wasn’t a one-off, and South Africa need to reassert their dominance on foreign soil. For Australian rugby fans, the choice is clear — lock in your streaming subscription or free-to-air alert now, because the 27 September 2026 fixture is shaping up as the most important Wallabies home match in a decade. Miss the ticket ballot, and you will be watching from the couch.