The South Africans went 33-12 down in the 56th minute, but scored two tries in the final quarter to set the game up for a grandstand finish.
Roared on by Bok captain Siya Kolisi and excited crowd at the home of non-racial rugby from the 1970s and 1980s, the Bok Women made it all the way to the Australian line in the final move of the match, but were penalised for hands in the ruck by Zimbabwean referee Precious Pazani to end their tenacious fight-back.
It was a valiant rally towards the end from the Boks, though, to secure two bonus points, considering that they had suffered three comprehensive defeats to the Aussies over the years.
The South Africans certainly had their moments and were not overwhelmed by their higher-ranked opponents, but the visitors produced a master-class in finishing and converting pressure into points.
The Australians were slick with ball-in-hand, avoiding contact with the physical Boks with quick hands and exploiting the space out wide.
Powerful blindside flank Siokapesi Palu opened the scoring in the fourth minute following a number of phases, and it was clear from the outset that the South African defence were going to have their hands full all evening long.
It took the Aussies just four minutes to extend their lead to 14-0 when outside centre Georgina Friedrichs finished off after wing Maya Stewart broke free down the right.
But the Boks didn’t give up the fight, and scrumhalf Unam Tose charged-down an Australian kick to reduce the deficit to nine points after 10 minutes.
The sloppy tackling from the home side came back to haunt them, though, as following a simple lineout play from the Australians, tighthead prop Eva Karpani charged through a few defenders to dot down under the posts in the 14th minute.
The South Africans were able to create a number of attacking opportunities inside the Australian half, but were heavily penalised for sealing off by referee Pazani, who also didn’t always reward the hosts for their scrum dominance.
But the Boks got the breakthrough on the half-hour mark when fullback Eloise Webb showed a sharp turn of pace and classy stepping, and flank Sinazo Mcatshulwa barged over.
The South Africans were still in the game at 21-12 down at halftime, and when Australian replacement lock Atasi Lafai was yellow-carded early in the second half for a high tackle on Bok centre Chumisa Qawe, coach Swys de Bruin would’ve hoped that his team could take full advantage of their extra player.
The Boks, though, made a number of unforced errors on attack, with ball retention and decision-making halting their momentum.
The Australians then showed their opponents how it’s done as following yet another South African scrum penalty, Bok flyhalf Nadine Roos missed touch and the ball was quickly swept to the left, where No 11 Desiree Miller displayed her incredible pace to score.
Six minutes later, right wing Maya Stewart dotted down on the right following a classy set-up in midfield to wrong-foot the SA defence, and at 33-12, it appeared as if the game was over as a contest.
But as the mist rolled in over Athlone Stadium after a warm day in Cape Town, the South Africans kept going to score through centre Zintle Mpupha and replacement hooker Micke Gunter in the last six minutes.
Australia, though, held on for dear life and earned the match-winning breakdown penalty after the hooter.
Points-Scorers
South Africa 26 – Tries: Unam Tose, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Zintle Mpupha, Micke Gunter. Conversions: Nadine Roos (3).
Australia 33 – Tries: Siokapesi Palu, Georgina Friedrichs, Eva Karpani, Desiree Miller, Maya Stewart. Conversions: Faitala Moleka (4).