REACTION: Fans hammer Springboks, hail Wallabies

There were varying degrees of awe, shock and horror after the Springboks suffered a humiliating defeat to the Wallabies on Saturday.

Aug 16, 2025 - 23:00

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REACTION: Fans hammer Springboks, hail Wallabies

When the Springboks roared into a 22-0 against the Wallabies within the first quarter of their Rugby Championship opener, it appeared that there would only be one winner – as had been widely predicted before kick off.

Yet, in almost unbelievable scenes, the Wallabies mounted one of the greatest comebacks and upset victories to claim a 38-22 win, and their triumph at Ellis Park for 62 years.

Understandably, the reaction around the rugby world was simply wild.

WHAT WAS SAID ON SOCIAL MEDIA AFTER SPRINGBOKS’ SHOCK LOSS TO WALLABIES?

Genuinely has to be one of the greatest upsets of all time.

* Australia ranked 6th in the world
* Playing the best Springbok team ever
* At altitude in South Africa
* Giving up a 22-0 lead after 18 minutes
* and then scoring 38 unanswered points

Incredible win#RSAvAUS pic.twitter.com/O4vLhhSoCD
— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) August 16, 2025

Win for the ages for the Wallabies…. first at Ellis Park since 1963, first in SA since 2011….

Came into this game as underdogs… were 22-0 down after 18 mins…. then went on to win 38-22.

One of the great comebacks. Take a bow.

Aussie rugby alive and kicking!
— Jon Cardinelli (@jon_cardinelli) August 16, 2025

The Wallabies’ greatest performance of all time.

Down 22-0 to the back-to-back world champions at Ellis Park, Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies win 22-38.

The 62 year drought at Ellis Park is over.

James O’Connor’s first Test in 1099 days.

Harry Wilson outstanding.

Incredible win.
— Christy Doran (@ChristypDoran) August 16, 2025

Well, at least the tickets should be cheaper now. ???????????????????? #RSAvAUS
— Rory Petzer (@RoryPetzer) August 16, 2025

We looked past Oz. Totally drank our own koolaid about how dominant our set pieces would be. Warm up games were a waste, & protected some weak players. This has shown up a lot. Our inability to plug the holes out wide is alarming. Worst Bok performance in years. Well done Oz.
— Alex Goldberg (@TrollusMaximus) August 16, 2025

Wallabies were brilliant. What a team. In September 2023 they exited the World Cup in the first round. Now they've just spanked the double champions on their own patch after being one referee's call away from beating the Lions. Joe Schmidt is a genius. Well done Australia.
— Daniel Gallan (@danielgallan) August 16, 2025

Congrats @wallabies. So proud of the comeback of the century .. surely .. and at Ellis Park????????????
— Greg Clark (@greg_clarkie) August 16, 2025

Point of difference is Aussies ability to beat the Bok rush D. Adapted so well in the last 60 minutes!
— Katleho Lynch (@LynchCoach) August 16, 2025

This is poised to be one of the greatest Test comebacks. @Springboks scoring for fun (22-0 up) only to go into hibernation (from which they have yet to emerge) allowing @wallabies to score 33 unanswered points. First Wallabies win v Boks at Ellis Park for 62 years beckons.
— Martin Gillingham (@MartGillingham) August 16, 2025

This will be the Wallabies’ greatest win https://t.co/c7OcJUbuNv
— Christy Doran (@ChristypDoran) August 16, 2025

Bok subs have had 0 impact today! We are being humbled out there..
— Avuyile Sawula (@av_sawula) August 16, 2025

What a second half by an “average” Wallaby side! Great win for the men from Aus, they deserve the credit????????????
— Kobus Wiese (@4KobusWiese) August 16, 2025

Believe it or not, this great for us. Proper humbling here. The warm-up games were a waste. This has shown us up big time, and highlighted how weak we are in key places. Boks guilty of looking past this game.
— Alex Goldberg (@TrollusMaximus) August 16, 2025

This has aged almost as terribly as our 22-nil lead. Holy shit. WTF is going on? ???????????? https://t.co/z2k9v7LO8T
— Rory Petzer (@RoryPetzer) August 16, 2025

Goes without saying that it was one of the weakest performances by the Boks in some time.

Looked to be on course for a BP win after 18 mins… How did they lose control?

Far too loose in second half, discipline/game management very poor. Defence fell apart.
— Jon Cardinelli (@jon_cardinelli) August 16, 2025

Boks had 3 weeks to prepare for this test but the tanks looked quite empty just before halftime. You just wonder.
— Avuyile Sawula (@av_sawula) August 16, 2025

What a win for the Wallabies. A historic performance.

38 unanswered points at Ellis Park is insane work. One of the greatest comebacks in rugby's history.
— Dylan Jack (@dylmjack) August 16, 2025

Absolute shambles this from the Boks.

Fascinating to see what the response will be from here next week.

This a shockwave that nobody would have expected.

30 unanswered points ????????‍♂️
— Ben Karpinski (@followthebounce) August 16, 2025

What is your reaction to this result?

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