'Favourite win': O'Connor, Wallabies react to famous Springboks win

Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 8:32 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson

Wallabies fly-half James O'Connor has seen it all in Rugby, but not much compares to their 38-22 win over the Springboks.

O'Connor, featuring in his first game in the gold jersey in close to 1,100 days, helped engineer a special comeback to topple the defending world champions.

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The 35-year-old helped set up Dylan Pietsch's opening try before his cut-out passing caused the Springboks' rush defence plenty of headaches.

O'Connor set up Jorgensen right after the Wallabies took the lead, and they wouldn't look back, with a late 50-22 from the playmaker, the icing on top of a classy return to the Test arena.

"Genuinely, words can't describe right now...That’s definitely my favourite win. It meant so much,” said O'Connor on Stan Sport.

“...There’s been a lot of emotion this week, a lot of reflection. I thought my time in the Wallabies jersey was done three years ago.

"I fought bloody hard to get back here and the opportunity came after some of the guys got injured, but I’m here now and I’m loving it.”

Fellow Queenslander Fraser McReight was the star of the forward pack with his breakdown work.

McReight forced three big turnovers, including one late in the game when the Springboks were on the attack down 11 points.

"It's euphoric at the moment. We spoke about, as Australians, we haven't won here since 1963 and we've got a quiet confidence about us and we're building," McReight said.

"I'm stoked, boys, that we're able to come back and show our grit."

For veteran James Slipper, the win ranks highly in an illustrious career that edges closer to 150 games.

"It's such a special moment for the group," Slipper said.

"We've obviously had a big year already playing against the Lions and a tough ask to come here to Johannesburg and go up against the World Champs. To come away with a result in front of this sort of crowd is a really special moment for our group.

"We'll gain a lot of confidence from that but one thing we know is we've got to play the 'Boks again next week so it's going to be another tough game and we'll prepare hard for."

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