The Springboks will head into their November clash against Italy with the painful lessons of their Perth collapse still fresh after the Wallabies stunned the world champions 42-38 at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

Australia turned the Test into a high-scoring arm wrestle and exposed cracks in the Boks’ defensive structure before holding their nerve to secure a famous victory.

For South Africa, the defeat was more than a blot on the scoreboard. It was a warning that lapses in concentration and defensive execution can quickly punish even the most experienced side.

The Boks will now shift their attention to Turin at Allianz Stadium, where they face Italy in November and will look to use the Perth setback as fuel for their European campaign.

South Africa beat Italy 32-14 in Turin in November 2025, but the Azzurri will take confidence from the way Australia unsettled the Boks.

The Wallabies have effectively handed Italy a blueprint: put the Springboks under sustained pressure, attack with conviction and capitalise ruthlessly when opportunities emerge.

Rassie Erasmus and his charges will have plenty to fix before arriving in Turin.

The Perth defeat may have ended with Australian celebrations, but the real response from the Springboks will come in November, when they get another chance to turn a painful lesson into a statement of intent.