The Springboks will head into Sunday’s Test against Australia without a historical advantage in Perth, with the two sides sharing an even record in their previous meetings in the city.
South Africa and Australia have met 10 times in Perth since 1998, with both teams recording four victories and two draws.
That record adds an interesting layer to the latest Rugby Championship encounter, as the Springboks return to Perth looking to build on their recent success against the Wallabies.
Springboks vs Australia: The Perth record
The most recent meeting between the sides in Perth came in August 2024, when South Africa produced a convincing 30-12 victory.
The Springboks dominated the contest and scored four tries, with Malcolm Marx crossing twice from the rolling maul.
However, that result is only part of a much closer historical picture.
South Africa’s previous 10 Tests against Australia in Perth have produced the following record:
- South Africa wins: 4
- Australia wins: 4
- Draws: 2
The teams have also played at several venues across the city over the years.
The historic Subiaco Oval hosted most of their earlier encounters before closing in 2017. The Perth Stadium, now known as Optus Stadium, opened the following year.
Previous Springboks vs Wallabies Tests in Perth
2024: South Africa 30-12 Australia — Perth Stadium
2017: South Africa 23-23 Australia — Perth Rectangular Stadium
2014: South Africa 23-24 Australia — Subiaco Oval
2012: South Africa 19-26 Australia — Subiaco Oval
2009: South Africa 32-25 Australia — Subiaco Oval
2008: South Africa 9-16 Australia — Subiaco Oval
2005: South Africa 22-19 Australia — Subiaco Oval
2004: South Africa 26-30 Australia — Subiaco Oval
2001: South Africa 14-14 Australia — Subiaco Oval
1998: South Africa 14-13 Australia — Subiaco Oval
The numbers underline how competitive this fixture has historically been in Perth, with neither team able to establish a sustained advantage across the 10 meetings.
Springboks also played at Perth during 2003 World Cup
Perth has also featured prominently in Springboks history beyond their matches against Australia.
During the 2003 Rugby World Cup, South Africa played two pool matches at Subiaco Oval.
The Springboks opened their campaign with a commanding 72-6 win over Uruguay before suffering a 25-6 defeat to England.
South Africa eventually exited the tournament at the quarter-final stage after losing to New Zealand, while England went on to win the World Cup.
Another test awaits in Perth
The Springboks now return to Perth for another important meeting with the Wallabies.
Their 2024 victory gives South Africa a recent positive result in the city, but the broader head-to-head record shows that Perth has traditionally been a competitive venue for both teams.
With the two sides currently looking to build momentum, Sunday’s Test provides another opportunity to add a new chapter to their Perth rivalry.
Can the Springboks take the lead in the Perth head-to-head record?
