The Wallabies' quest for back-to-back wins over the Springboks has fallen short, going down 30-22 in Cape Town.
The visitors fought through a myriad of injury setbacks to reduce the margin to one late after a Brandon-Paenga Amosa try.
This included losing Nic White and Tom Wright in the first ten minutes, with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii also not returning after half-time as they trailed by ten.
But the Springboks were hellbent on rebounding from last week's shock as a late try to Eben Etzebeth sealed the victory.
The contest started at breakneck speed as both teams were intent on attacking early.
Handre Pollard made his mark early in the game, slotting a pair of penalties before White’s boot set up the opening try.
White spotted the space down the blindside and an open Corey Toole, kicking for the winger to score on debut.
Pollard responded in kind with a flat kick to Canan Moodie to restore the Springboks’ lead.
Joe Schmidt was forced to call on his bench early as Wright (knee) and White (concussion) departed inside the first 15 minutes.
Replacement Andrew Kellaway almost delivered instantly to set up captain Fraser McReight, with the try brought back for a knock-on in the build-up.
Both teams struggled in the wet conditions as the field started to deteriorate throughout the contest after a pre-match downpour.
The Springboks withheld a solid attacking period from the visitors and struck back with their own as late starter Kwagga Smith dived over five minutes before the break for a 20-10 half-time lead.
Like last week, the Wallabies refused to give up and James O’Connor’s snap kick in behind caused the necessary chaos for Max Jorgensen to capitalise and dive over for his sixth international try.
A third Pollard penalty gave the Springboks some necessary breathing room as their aerial ascendancy started to make a difference.
Toole nearly put the Wallabies in front with a spectacular chip and chase, forcing some desperate scramble.
But they couldn’t stop Brandon Paenga-Amosa as the hooker reached out for the line from the rolling maul to reduce the margin to one.
James O’Connor’s conversion just faded to the left, forcing the Wallabies to chase the game.
However, a mistake close to the line gifted South Africa the killer blow, with legendary second-rower Etzebeth there to dive over six minutes from full-time.
O’Connor had two tough shots at a penalty to reduce the margin and give the Australians a late chance, but couldn’t make the opportunity count as the world champions sealed the win.
It lifts the Springboks back into second on the World Rankings, setting up a blockbuster Rugby Championship fixture against number one All Blacks in a fortnight.
As for the Wallabies, they will face Argentina in Sydney and Townsville, who will host the Kiwis overnight (AEST).
Springboks 30 (Moodie, Smith, Etzebeth tries; Pollard 3 cons; Pollard 3 pens) def Wallabies 22 (Toole, Jorgensen, Paenga-Amosa tries; O'Connor 2 cons; O'Connor pen)
