Kurt-Lee Arendse hat-trick helps Springboks demolish Australia 43-12 in opener

Wing Kurt-Lee Arendse has scored a hat-trick of tries as a South African side missing several regulars made it an unhappy return for Australia coach Eddie Jones as the Springboks eased to a 43-12 Rugby Championship win at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The Boks were also awarded two penalty tries and got another from flanker Pieter-Steoh du Toit in the bonus-point victory as they dominated the aerial battle while Australia have now lost all seven of their visits to Pretoria.

Springboks captain, Duane Vermeulen says he is really proud of the boys, it was a fantastic performance - they played to their strengths.

Vermeulen further says there is still room for improvement.

The visitors received two yellow cards in the second half, for hooker Dave Porecki and wing Suliasi Vunivalu.

Australia co-captain James Slipper says It was a tough start, but they have a long year ahead of them.

Australia's defence around the fringes left a lot to be desired and the hosts exploited it.

[Source: newshub]