Rugby Union
The Wallabies pulled off a remarkable comeback against South Africa at Ellis Park, overturning a 22–0 deficit to win 38–22. It had been 61 years since Australia last won in Johannesburg, making this victory particularly significant. Tries from Harry Wilson (twice), Dylan Pietsch, Joseph Suaalii, Max Jorgensen, and Tom Wright in the second half sealed the turnaround.
Captain James Slipper reflected on the long wait, calling it a win "60-odd years in the making," and commended the team’s resilience. Coach Joe Schmidt praised the squad’s bravery, though injuries to Wilson (leg) and Pietsch (jaw) cast a shadow over the triumph, with both players set for evaluation before next week’s match in Cape Town.
On the other side, Springboks captain Siya Kolisi acknowledged their struggles at the breakdown, admitting they "let ourselves down" after failing to add to their early lead beyond the 18th minute.
Fiji Rugby has confirmed that Semi Radradra will not be available for the Pacific Nations Cup after picking up an injury during training. The tournament runs from August 22 to September 20. Joji Nasova, a promising young back, has been brought in as his replacement. The team is aiming to dominate the competition.
In more somber news, Castres, in France's Top 14 league, announced the death of Fijian international winger Josaia Raisuqe, known as Jo, in a road accident. Raisuqe, who once shone for Fiji in sevens rugby, was involved in the crash earlier this week. His club shared a heartfelt tribute, honoring his memory.
Rugby League
The Brisbane Broncos secured a 38–28 victory over the Gold Coast Dolphins in a high-scoring Queensland derby. It was a game where defense seemed optional at times, with both sides piling on points.
Over in Sydney, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks delivered a brutal 54–22 thrashing of the Gold Coast Titans. The Titans had no answers as the Sharks ran riot, racking up a lopsided scoreline.
Meanwhile, the South Sydney Rabbitohs scraped past the Parramatta Eels in a tight 20–16 contest. The match was far from a classic, but it kept fans on edge until the final whistle. On a personal note, Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston inched closer to history—he is now just three tries away from surpassing Ken Irvine’s all-time premiership try-scoring record. That is something worth watching in the coming weeks.