The Wallaroos have earned a pulsating 33-26 triumph over South Africa in Cape Town, as record-equalling Ash Marsters came up with a heroic last-ditch steal to put the Australian women’s side in sight of the WXV2 tournament title.

The excellent allround display on Saturday was headlined by two spectacular performances from flying wingers Desiree Miller and record-breaker Maya Stewart, and sets up a title-deciding match against unbeaten Scotland at the same venue next week.

The Wallaroos, maintaining the resurgent form that saw them crush Wales the previous week, went over for five tries, scored by Siokapesi Palu, Georgina Friedrichs, Eva Karpani, player of the match Miller and Stewart, whose 14th Wallaroos’ try took her past Tricia Brown’s record.

But on the day she equalled the Wallaroos appearance record of Liz Patu with her 33rd cap, it felt fitting that evergreen 30-year-old flanker Marsters should come up with the decisive final defensive play at the Athlone Stadium.

With the Springboks’ power-packed forwards camped on the Australian line and hunting a post-siren try that would almost certainly lead to a drawn match, Marsters somehow managed to hold firm under extreme pressure to get her hands on the ball for the decisive penalty.

“It was a very stressful last five minutes – but that’s Australian heart right there, that ticker, girls in the trenches working for each other, and it shows what wearing this jersey means for us,” said Australian captain Michaela Leonard. “We’ve definitely turned a corner after a difficult year, we’ve shown we can do it when we get it right.”

Australia were slick in the early exchanges, Palu ploughing over from a fourth-minute pick-and-go with Zimbabwean-born Friedrichs then sent in by a dazzling run down the right edge from Stewart, who bulldozed through full-back Eloise Webb before offloading.

South African halfback Unam Tose then charged down Caitlyn Halse’s kick to touch down, but tighthead prop Karpani barrelled over for a third Australian score in just 13 minutes.

Two more Wallaroo scores were disallowed before the break. One was through carelessness when Cecilia Smith dropped the ball over the line while finishing off a brilliant team move and the other, snaffled by Miller just before the break, was ruled out for an earlier knock-on.

As it was, Sinazo Mcatshulwa’s try just after the half-hour mark meant Australia had to settle for a 21-12 halftime lead.

Quick Guide

WXV1: Ireland brought back to earth by Canada

Show

Ireland lost 21-8 to hosts Canada in their second match of the WXV1 tournament, having beaten world champions New Zealand in their opening game.

The Maple Leafs raced to a 21-3 half-time lead thanks to a penalty try and scores from Claire Gallagher and Julia Omokhuale [pictured]. Ireland’s Eimear Considine scored the only try in the second half but Canada were comfortable winners in Langley, following up a seven-try victory over France in their first match.

The hosts will face England in their final showdown of the competition; the Red Roses face New Zealand in their second game on Sunday. Ireland’s final match will be on Friday against the United States, who lost 22-14 to France on Saturday.

Photograph: Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press

There was an early concern after the break when lock Atasi Lafai was sent to the bin for a high tackle but it didn’t stop Australia scoring while short-handed as Miller scooted unstoppably down the left wing.

Stewart then raced over on the other wing for her record-breaking try only for the Springboks, roared on in the stands by inspirational men’s captain Siya Kolisi, to rally through their own replacements’ ‘Bomb Squad’.

Zintle Mpupha and Micke Gunter both went over to take the match into a one-score game in the final minute before Marsters’ great last-second piece of pilfering.

Earlier, Scotland also made it two wins from two with their 19-13 victory over Japan, setting up next week’s grand finale.