World champions South Africa scored five tries as they defeated hosts Australia 33-7 in the opening match of this year’s Rugby Championship.

Kurt-Lee Arendse scored two tries in Brisbane and equalled South Africa’s biggest win over the Wallabies on Australian soil – a 38-12 victory in the same city in 2013.

Tries from Siya Kolisi, Thomas du Toit and Arendse gave South Africa a 21-0 half-time lead, with the hosts reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes in the first half when Andrew Kellaway was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle.

The Springboks extended their lead in the second half when winger Arendse scored his second try, while Kwagga Smith scored South Africa’s fifth try two minutes later.

The Wallabies improved after the break, but they made too many mistakes in their attack, which meant they no longer put pressure on the visitors.

With three minutes remaining, centre Hunter Paisami scored for the hosts after South Africa had been reduced to 13 men due to yellow cards for hooker Malcolm Marx and winger Marco van Staden.

“We said as a group that this is an important game for us and that we have to win. I am proud of the boys,” said Springboks captain Kolisi.

“When you’re up there you have to make sure you take your chances. We lost a couple of line-outs in key areas. That’s an area we need to improve on.”

Captain Allan Alaalatoa said the defeat was sobering for Australia, who host the British and Irish Lions next summer.

“You have to give credit to South Africa for being there and putting us under pressure. We didn’t have the ball most of the time in the first half,” said Alaalatoa.

“This is a tough lesson for our group, but we need to get back together and compete again next week in Perth.”

The teams will meet again in Perth on August 17.