Rugby has always been a game that can change quickly, and some of its most memorable moments have come when a team has refused to give up despite being well behind.
Over the years, there have been plenty of matches where the result looked settled, only for one side to fight their way back and turn things around.
Most recently, Australia showed this again in Johannesburg when they overturned a 22-point deficit to beat South Africa in the 2025 Rugby Championship.
Here are the six biggest comebacks in international rugby history.
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South Korea v Chile – 2016
Chile suffered the biggest ever comeback defeat in Test rugby history in 2016, surrendering a 31-point second-half lead to lose 38-36 against South Korea in Santiago.
Los Condores, who had dominated the first Test 30-12 and stormed into a 20-0 halftime lead, looked set to seal the series when Tomas Ianiszewski’s hat-trick pushed them 36-7 ahead.
Yet, from the 59th minute onwards, Chile collapsed. South Korea clawed their way back, with Jun Hee-Lim sparking the fightback before winger Hang-Yul Park sensationally scored three tries in the final eleven minutes.
Chile’s discipline crumbled further when Martín Sigren was sin-binned late on, allowing Jae-Bok Lee to cross in the dying moments.
With Ryu’s decisive conversion, South Korea completed rugby’s greatest-ever turnaround.
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Fiji v Tonga – 2010
Fiji staged one of the greatest comebacks in Pacific Nations Cup history, overturning a 28-0 deficit to defeat Tonga 41-38 in a thrilling contest in Apia back in 2010.
Trailing 31-10 at half-time, Fiji looked dead and buried, but a stunning second-half display turned the tide.
Inspired substitutions and relentless attacking play saw the Fijians claw back try by try, with Kelemedi Bolatagane and captain Dominiko Waqaniburotu among the scorers.
With just minutes left, lock Sekonaia Kalou crossed in the corner to seal an unforgettable victory, completed by Taniela Rawaqa’s nerveless conversion.
Uruguay v Chile – 2007
Chile once again find themselves on this list for another one of rugby’s greatest comebacks.
Already mentioned for squandering a huge lead against South Korea, Los Condores endured a similar heartbreak in 2007 when they hosted Uruguay in Santiago.
At the Prince of Wales Country Club, Chile appeared unstoppable as they surged to a commanding 27-0 half-time lead, seemingly certain to end a five-year winless run against their rivals.
But Uruguay mounted an extraordinary fightback. Emiliano Caffera steered the revival with three penalties, two conversions, and a hand in three second-half tries.
Chile added a converted score of their own to lead 34-28 in the dying moments, yet Los Teros struck with one final attack. Caffera’s conversion sealed an astonishing 35-34 victory.
Australia v Argentina – 2018
In 2018, the Wallabies pulled off one of their most dramatic turnarounds to stun Argentina 45-34 in Salta. The match looked lost at half-time, with Australia trailing 31-7 after a nightmare opening 40 minutes that included a string of defensive lapses and costly errors.
It was the biggest halftime deficit they had ever faced against Los Pumas, and questions swirled over Michael Cheika’s future as coach. But after a furious halftime dressing-down, the Wallabies returned transformed.
Izack Rodda, Israel Folau, and Dane Haylett-Petty all crossed within 11 minutes of the restart to slash the gap, before David Pocock’s strength at the breakdown put Australia ahead for the first time.
Further scores sealed a remarkable comeback. Unsurprisingly, the Wallabies appear again on this list for another historic rally achieved more recently.
Wales v Argentina – 1999
In 1999, Wales produced a stunning comeback in Buenos Aires to claim a 36-26 victory over Argentina in the opening Test of their two-match series.
The hosts looked unstoppable early on, racing into a 23-0 lead within just 35 minutes as the Welsh defence crumbled under relentless pressure.
But what followed was one of Wales’ great fightbacks. Dafydd James, Brett Sinkinson, and Chris Wyatt all crossed for tries as the visitors clawed their way back into contention, while Neil Jenkins’ boot kept the scoreboard ticking.
The turnaround silenced the home crowd and gave Wales crucial momentum.
This win set the stage for a 2-0 series triumph, with the second Test later remembered for its infamous mass brawl, still regarded as one of rugby’s most violent encounters.
Australia v South Africa – 2025
Australia pulled off one of the most astonishing victories in Test rugby history over the weekend, storming back from 22-0 down to defeat world champions South Africa 38-22 in Johannesburg.
It marked the sixth biggest comeback ever seen in the international game, and perhaps the most unlikely, given the Springboks‘ dominance in recent years and the way they looked unstoppable in the opening quarter.
Early tries from Kurt-Lee Arendse, Andre Esterhuizen, and Siya Kolisi had Ellis Park rocking as South Africa surged clear.
Yet the Wallabies, without a win at the venue since 1963, clawed their way back with captain Harry Wilson inspirational, scoring twice.
Dylan Pietsch, Max Jorgensen, Joseph Suaalii, and Tom Wright also crossed as Joe Schmidt’s side secured an unforgettable triumph.
By Charlie Elliott
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