'That's wrong': Wallabies left fuming over 'disgraceful' moment

Two bombed tries and a controversial yellow card meant the Wallabies again left Ellis Park empty-handed after a 35-17 loss to South Africa in their Rugby Championship opener.

Australia were looking for their first win in Johannesburg since 1963 and had a golden opportunity, with the Springboks fielding a weakened side on Saturday night.

Springboks livewire halfback Herschel Jantjies scored a try in each half in a memorable Test debut.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika slammed a decision to yellow card prop Taniela Tupou for a late, no-arms tackle, with the Springboks scoring 14 points in his absence.

"I make it as the wrong call," Cheika said.

"The other guy (Springbok) should have been sent to the sin-bin for a shoulder charge.

"The fourth official (should have) focused on the green guy who came in with a shoulder charge and then Taniela came in after that to get him, with his arms wrapped at the right height.

"I'm not sure if big contact is a penalty these days but that's the wrong decision."

Wallabies great Phil Kearns went even further.

“I think it was a disgraceful decision,” Kearns said.

“I think so many times we put referees that are out of their depth into these games.

“We’ve all talked privately about the World Cup referees and there are a whole bunch of guys that are totally out of their depth.

“That is a game changing moment and some of these guys are out of their depth.”

However some questioned whether Tupou sealed his own fate by putting himself in that situation.

“There was clearly an arm there, I think it was a poor decision from Paul Williams, one of a number throughout the course of the night,” Drew Mitchell said on Fox Sports.

“That being said, you can’t yourself in a position to let the referee make that decision.”

Crucial errors cruel Wallabies

The Wallabies were in the hunt early but two blown tries in the first half proved crucial.

Australia trailed 14-10 at halftime after a try by backrower Lukhan Salakaia-Loto was denied after the last pass from Samu Kerevi was ruled forward by the Television Match Official.

Winger Dane Hayley-Petty, who scored their opening try, could have added a second and given his team the lead but knocked the ball on as he dived on it over the line.

Skipper Michael Hooper left a further three points on the field when he turned down an easy penalty shot to chase a try just before the main break.

Their second half also didn't go to plan. As well as the yellow card, they lost veteran prop James Slipper to a head knock nine minutes in, which gave rookie Harry Johnson-Holmes his first cap.

Although behind on the scoreboard, there was a lot to like about the Wallabies, particularly in the first half, with some excellent defence and creative attack that challenged the Springboks when they went wide.

Halfback Nic White, in his first Test in four years, was sharp, Tom Banks impressed in his first start replacing Israel Folau at fullback while backrower Isi Naisarani also looked strong.

with AAP