Perth, Australia, turned into Perthfontein this past weekend as South African sports descended into the city for two epic showdowns: the Springboks vs Wallabies and Dricus du Plessis vs Israel Adesanya in the UFC middleweight championship fight. South African sports fans had much to celebrate as the Springboks overcame harsh conditions to triumph over the Wallabies, while Dricus du Plessis stunned the MMA world with a historic win, with Springbok players cheering him on from the sidelines.

At Optus Stadium, the Springboks battled through torrential rain to secure a 28-14 victory against the Wallabies​. The terrible weather inevitably turned the match into a brute slog, with the South African forward pack particularly dominant, with the driving maul once again proving an unstoppable force. Malcolm Marx’s two tries from the maul exemplified their supremacy in set pieces, while the Springboks’ famous “Bomb Squad” brought fresh intensity late in the game to seal the bonus-point win​. Despite challenging conditions, the Springboks’ resilience and tactical discipline kept them firmly in contention for the Rugby Championship title​, which they have not won since before the COVID-19 lockdown.

Many commentators noted how the crowd was basically a solid wall of green and gold, as South African expats turned up to the stadium in large numbers. It was the second game of the Rugby Championship in Australia that looked like a home game for the Boks. Perthfontein, indeed!

Meanwhile, Dricus du Plessis took centre stage at UFC 293 in Perth’s RAC Arena, delivering a shock upset by defeating the reigning middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, via a stunning second-round knockout​. Du Plessis’s victory cemented his position as one of the most formidable fighters in the UFC. In what many saw as a David versus Goliath showdown, du Plessis entered the fight as the underdog, but his tenacity, precision striking, and impeccable conditioning left no doubt about his championship credentials.

The atmosphere in the arena was electrified by the presence of the victorious Springbok players, who had come straight from their rugby triumph to support their fellow countryman. Among them was Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth, who walked out with the fighter before his fight​. Du Plessis credited his victory to both his hard work and the energy he felt from his supporters, including the Springbok contingent, who chanted and celebrated each moment of his success.

For the South African expat community in Australia, this weekend was a perfect celebration of their nation’s sporting excellence. Whether on the wet rugby field or in the intense MMA octagon, South African athletes showcased their skill, toughness, and winning spirit. The dual victories in Perth made this weekend an unforgettable moment of national pride for South Africans across the world.