Australia v South Africa LIVE: Latest score and updates as Springboks hit back after lively Wallabies start in Perth

The sign of champions? Van der Merwe punches in for an immediate response, it’s a sweeping move, and the Wallabies are undone in a flash.

Pollard to Moodie and then the speedsters out wide, Fassi with a tidy pass for his teammate and Van der Merwe won’t be stopped with that much space.

TRY! Oh my days… Lenny again!

Fassi up for the high ball and Sua’ali’i competes, it puts the South African off for a moment and the ball clatters his face.

Disaster for the Boks as Ikitau is ready to snaffle the loose ball and run in for the score, he’s on for a hat-trick!

This Boks defence, remarkable, but they bend for so long before finally breaking, Ikitau, TRY!

Tenacious from Ikitau, who scurried over between the posts and the conversion is easy enough, we have a game here.

Porthen held up the Wallabies just about, but Ikitau was waiting to pounce after the offload. Tremendous reaction from Australia, who have held their own after 25 mins.

A little stagnant in midfield, Alaalatoa trying to penetrate the Boks line.

Australia have relief, a penalty after the Boks hold onto the ball too long, and Donaldson kicks into touch.

Pollard up for the test in the air so far.

The Wallabies reach the Boks’ 22 and the champions are almost broken down by the quick feet of Jorgensen. A desperate pass back infield keeps the move alive, serious pressure on the Boks here.

The Wallabies respond well, Bell running with purpose.

And now Donaldson tossing the ball with an element of risk. The Boks on the back foot but they survive and bounce back, sending it the other way with Hooker fumbling just as the pitch opened up for him.

Line-out for the Boks, sniffing the try line, Etzebeth snaffles the ball and they’re up and running.

The Wallabies can’t stop the maul and Grobbelaar, clutching the ball close to his belly, is shoved over for the score, brilliantly dominant from the Boks. TRY!

Pollard with a smart kick too, this time drawn in from outside the posts… 3-10.

Wilson rampaging down the left and a tidy hand-off to Sua’ali’i sees the Boks scramble, but Jantjies scoops up the loose ball before the hosts earn a penalty.

Interesting call from Wilson, it’s a kick to bring parity and Lonergan’s strike, 45m or so from the posts, it’s faded in and splits the posts. Tidy kick and 3-3.

Plenty of touches for Jorgensen early on, scurrying across the pitch in an aggressive start from the Wallabies.

But the Moodie with a punchy tackle for the Boks, who have a penalty early on…

Pollard’s boot to be tested and it’s knocked over for an early lead, the world champions are 3-0 up.

Over 50,000 in Perth, late on Sunday night in Australia, this should be a cracker, we’re underway!

Gorgeous conditions here and a fiery atmosphere, the countdown to the World Cup is underway, can the Wallabies land a telling blow and a marker ahead of hosting next year’s showpiece event?

The South African national anthem is belted out by Jesse Clegg.

Plenty of Boks fans at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

Now time for Advance Australia Fair…