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Following last week's disappointing showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell told his Irish team to step up their performance.

Ireland responded right away.

The Irish side had faded in the final stages against New Zealand and taken considerable time to get going versus Japan.

However, against the Wallabies, they began strongly, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that represented the team's finest performance of the season.

Making his debut international appearance at full-back, the player registered a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for high balls and performed exceptionally against the nation of his birth.

"Look, I've experienced a pretty difficult period with injuries honestly," the athlete stated.

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's considerable talk about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this feels like home.

"Whenever I have to play for the national team it's a honor, if you don't put in a good showing you might not receive that privilege again.

"My whole approach this period was to go out and perform what I could do."

Manager declared: 'Good players don't need justifications'

After 28 caps on the flank, Hansen was entrusted the full-back position for the initial time with multiple teammates injured.

In his case, it was simply a case of picking up where he left off during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in excellent form before physical issues ended his dream of making the international team.

Having returned last month, he suffered a foot problem that ruled him out for previous matches.

The coach had suggested that Hansen was especially motivated and these proved not hollow statements as the former club player gave his coach a positive team headache for upcoming games.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You better perform well in those different colored shoes!'," commented Farrell, referring to Hansen's decision to wear mismatched footwear.

"Actually I believed that was appropriate but apparently Mack just made that personally regardless. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes don't need justifications, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can get the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that type of player, he prepares well, he's got a excellent approach to get across his preparation and so that's why he slotted right into the team and he was able to be himself because of that."

The player's efforts also earned commendation from the opposing coach, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition player" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge showed to the fore," commented the former international coach.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the best Australian player on the field. He's has a excellent ability and he's such a good competitor."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a good option at the number 15 position, the coach continued: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is something that he does from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's more in place for that frequently.

"The player's high ball work was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we persisted of executing the correct thing and that was putting the ball again on them to secure territory.

"Why that was the right strategy to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was securing the possessions returned, and additional teammates, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Beyond Hansen, there were multiple positives for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the number 10 position, the set piece and throw-in functioned smoothly and another player did not appear out of place in his first start in the forwards.

But perhaps more pleasing for Farrell was the team bookending the game with multiple strong spells.

The player's initial couple of tries occurred in the first 11 minutes while other teammates registered in the closing exchanges after the other team had crossed, ensuring the home side concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and attacked the game straight from the word go," said Farrell.

"The way we managed numerous elements during the game, particularly them coming back just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we did in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with the majority of our game in that later period was really pleasing."

The strength of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what might be considered as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's tied multiple match series on rival soil.

The coach's team will require to reach a higher standard to defeat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the correct direction after an uninspiring start to their autumn schedule.