With overcast skies and a wet field underfoot, this was never going to be a spectacle, quickly evolving instead into a dogfight for territory and possession, dictated by forward bursts and plenty of tactical kicks.
The Boks were tentative with ball in hand for much of the match - their confidence perhaps still a little shaken after Ellis Park - and lacked the clinical edge to put the Aussies away, but when the pressure was on, they delivered, scoring a crucial try late in the match to seal the victory.
Credit must again go to the Wallabies, who showed remarkable resilience despite losing several key players on the night, refusing to relent for the entire 80 minutes and proving once again that Australia are well and truly back in world rugby.
Match Report
The Boks settled some early nerves by taking a 3-0 lead after the Wallabies infringed at the breakdown, Handre Pollard converting from the tee. Moments later, another penalty came their way when the Aussie front row buckled at scrum time, allowing Pollard to double the advantage.
But the Aussies hit back with the game's opening try after winning a free kick and taking a quick tap before Nic White sent a little grubber kick in behind, allowing Corey Toole to canter over for the score as the Bok defence was caught flat-footed.
The Boks hit back straight away after the Wallabies failed to gather a high ball, with Kwagga Smith piling on the pressure before RG Snyman stormed in to force the turnover. From there, Pollard's pinpoint cross-kick found Canan Moodie, who finished with ease.
The Aussies looked like they were in again after Andrew Kellaway dislodged the ball from Pollard in contact with the try line in sight, but a TMO check confirmed Kellaway had knocked the ball on in making the tackle.
A lost line-out and a couple of soft penalties from the Boks handed the Aussies momentum, but the visitors twice turned down kickable points and failed to make their try-scoring chances count.
When the Boks finally got a bit of possession of their own, they did well to make it count. After weathering the storm, it was quick ball and smart hands that finally opened up the Aussies' defence, a burst from captain Jesse Kriel followed by Kwagga Smith crashing through a gap and over.
With the first half winding down, the Boks conceded another breakdown penalty, and the Wallabies cut the deficit from the tee to make it 20-10 at the break.
The Boks started the second half looking as tentative as they did for much of the first, and when Moodie failed to deal with a regulation kick in behind the defence, it allowed Max Jorgensen to run in for an easy try. James O'Connor added the extras to bring the Aussies to within three.
The Boks looked to hit back but lacked the finishing touch in the red zone, despite having the Wallabies on the ropes on more than one occasion. When they were given a kickable penalty, Pollard converted to extend the lead back to six.
The Aussies nearly hit back after they caught the Bok defence unawares with another kick in behind, but the visitors couldn't quite hold and the Boks survived.
The visitors were starting to apply a lot of pressure, however, and when a penalty advantage allowed them to kick for the corner, a powerful rolling maul took Brandon Paenga-Amosa over the line for a well-worked try. O'Connor missed the easy conversion, but the Boks now led by just one with 10 minutes to play.
When a crucial knock-on at the back handed the Boks a scrum inside the Aussie 22, they didn't waste the opportunity, winning a penalty before the forwards powered through several phases and Eben Etzebeth stretched out to dot down. Pollard converted to put the Boks eight points clear.
The Aussies tried to pull three points back after the Boks were penalised for a questionable high shot, but again O'Connor missed a very kickable shot at goal. With time running out, O'Connor tried his luck from distance to try and bag the bonus point, but it wasn't to be.
The Boks had a final opportunity to bag a fourth try and the bonus point, but they couldn't convert and had to settle for only four - though they were more than happy to take the win.
Springbok captain Jesse Kriel says his team has learned their lessons from last week's defeat to the Wallabies and are determined to set things right when the sides meet again.
Aphelele Fassi will start at fullback for the Springboks' Rugby Championship clash with the Wallabies in Cape Town on Saturday, after Willie le Roux was ruled out with a training niggle.
Springbok forward Jean-Luc du Preez is eager to impress in a rare start in the green and gold against Australia in the Rugby Championship on Saturday.
Rassie Erasmus admits that the loss to Australia exposed flaws in the team's new approach, but insists the Boks remain determined to evolve their style of play.
