Australia rallied from 22-0 down as their captain Harry Wilson scored two tries in a stunning 38-22 bonus-point victory against South Africa in their Rugby Championship opener on Saturday, the Wallabies’ first victory at Ellis Park since 1963.

The Wallabies scored a remarkable six tries without reply in the fightback to earn the signature win of Joe Schmidt’s 18-month coaching reign.

South Africa raced into a commanding lead inside the first quarter through tries by the wing Kurt-Lee Arendse, centre André Esterhuizen and No 8 Siya Kolisi, but their achilles heel this season has been the breakdown and it was there that Australia began to take control.

The Springboks led 22-5 at half-time but Australia came alive in the second period and were excellent in soaking up pressure and hitting the world champions with fast breaks as they won on South African soil for the first time in 14 years.

The winger Dylan Pietsch, Joseph Suaalii, Max Jorgensen and Tom Wright also crossed for the visitors in one of Australia’s greatest Test wins.

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