Springboks hold on to win Tri-Nations title

SOUTH Africa completed a fairytale start for coach Jake White as they took the Tri-Nations title with a 23-19 victory over Australia in Durban.

The Springboks became the first team to lose their first two matches but still win the crown as the victory gave them the points necessary to take only their second title in the nine years of the competition.

But the win was nail-biting as the Boks had two players yellow carded for offences in the last 12 minutes and watched in horror as the Wallabies clawed back from 23-7 down to 23-19 with a minute to go, but the home side managed to hold on.

Playing in front of a 52,000 crowd, the Boks showed both passion and poise, but had a half-time substitution to thank after being 7-3 down at the interval. But with two tries shortly after the break, and the fans applauding every Wallaby mistake, the Boks held on long enough to emulate Nick Mallett’s 1998 side and claim the trophy.

Meanwhile, Wales hooker Robin McBryde could be sidelined until November after suffering a neck injury. The Llanelli forward, a Lions tourist in Australia three years ago, could now miss Tests against New Zealand, Japan and Romania.

McBryde’s problem has been identified as an acute prolapsed disc, although it is not thought at this stage that surgery will be required. The 34-year-old missed Wales’s summer tour to Argentina and South Africa because of a shoulder injury, and the latest setback will come as a blow for new Wales coach Mike Ruddock.

Llanelli will also miss McBryde’s presence, as he is set to sit out several Celtic League games and the Scarlets’ opening Heineken Cup fixtures.

Wasps, the English and European champions who are growing too big for the 10,000 capacity ground they share with soccer club Wycombe Wanderers, could be on the move if the situation cannot be resolved. The club are currently negotiating for increased crowds at The Causeway.