No early move for de Villiers as Sprinkboks stun Wallabies

ANY hopes Munster may have harboured of star signing Jean de Villiers arriving early in Ireland were dashed in Brisbane on Saturday as Australia recorded a remarkable 21-9 Tri-Nations win over South Africa.

The performance of centre de Villiers was one of the few bright spots for the Boks, who must now beat the All Blacks in Hamilton next Saturday to claim the two points they need to take the title. It was a stunning turnaround in fortunes for the Wallabies, who had lost their previous four Tri-Nations encounters while the Boks were seemingly cruising to the Tri-Nations crown.

Satisfied Australia coach Robbie Deans praised the patience and tenacity shown by his players. The hosts crossed the line three times only to be correctly denied on each occasion by the man upstairs, before Adam Ashley-Cooper finally crossed in the 63rd minute.