The Wallaroos' 33-26 win over South Africa probably doesn't reflect their dominance enough as they lit up Cape Town with their attack.
They almost let it all dissipate in the last ten minutes but the Australians looked confident for the most part in a solid outing before next week's decider against Scotland.
Watch the Wallaroos tackle South Africa live and exclusively on Stan Sport.
So what did we learn?
The Wallaroos did what they had to do to control their destiny with the WXV 2 title on the line against Scotland next week.
The Scots almost delivered a dream result as they struggled against Japan, eventually holding on for a tough six-point win.
But the bonus point win ensures Australia can clinch the title with a win or draw over the higher ranked Scots even if South Africa nearly spoiled their plans with a late draw.
Claiming the title has been the goal since they departed Australia and does wonders for their confidence after a lean 2024 home season.
But they can't have another late slip-up like they did against South Africa.
Ash Marsters showed off all her experience on a record-tying day to save Australia in the final moment of the contest.
The Australians were struggling late as South Africa were rolling with a strong crowd behind them.
Up stepped Marsters, snatching the late turnover to seal the win in what could go down as one of the biggest moments in Jo Yapp's tenure as coach.
Marsters is a unicorn player and deserves to lift the WXV 2 title high next week as she breaks the record for most caps by a Wallaroos.
The Wallaroos need to follow her lead against Scotland.
Maya Stewart is getting into near unbackable odds for Wallaroos Player of the Year.
Entering the game on a five-try winning streak, the winger made it six when she raced away in the second half to seal the win.
However, her work creating tries took centre stage in a brilliant display of speed, agility and strength to step her defender and fend off the fullback to set up good mate Georgina Friedrichs for their second try.
A lot is made of what Sevens players could be coming back but there’s no way in this type of form they replace Stewart on one of the wings.
The other isn’t a guarantee given how Desiree Miller performed. The winger torched her opposition to rescue Australia on countless occasions and was a deserving Player of the Match
Cecilia Smith showed why you should always take the safe option when grounding the ball in a true coach killer.
The Wallaroos produced what should’ve been one of the tries of the tournament after great interchange from the backs put the centre into space.
However, Smith’s wry grin when she got up from the line gave it away as the TMO showed she dropped the ball going for the fancy one-hand putdown.
It meant what could’ve been a 28-5 lead became 21-12 and kept the vocal South African crowd in the game
Smith is one of the more reliable players in the Wallaroos system but this was a brain fade of the highest honour that nearly cost them dearly.
Take this as a spoiler, not a prediction: South Africa will be a force in Women’s Rugby.
The South Africans are slowly building a powerful program as they put the Wallaroos under extreme pressure from the first scrum.
Number eight Aseza Hele is a powerhouse, wing Ayanda Malinga saved multiple tries whilst flyhalf Nadine Roos showed off the Sevens skills throughout the contest.
With up to 150 players set to be contracted in 2025 under a new Women’s Super League, they are a real smoky for 2025 and 2029 World Cup
