Boks hold out to shock Wallabies

South Africa 26 Australia 22

The Springboks pulled off a major upset when they defeated world champions Australia in the opening match of the Tri-Nations tournament at Newlands.

South African rugby was in disarray going into the game with not even the most dedicated Springbok supporter giving their team much of a chance, even against the under-performing Wallabies.

But the Boks relied on strong defence and the brilliant kicking of fly-half Louis Koen to seal the win.

Koen contributed 16 points from four penalties and two conversions.

The Springboks suffered what seemed at the time a severe blow in the opening minutes when full-back Jaco van der Westhuyzen was forced off the field with a knee injury to be replaced by Brent Russell.

But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise as the tireless, fleet-footed Russell provided the elusive spark which has been missing from the South African line-up this season.

They have won all four of their games so far, although the three earlier victories – two over Scotland and one against Argentina – were of such poor quality that most SA fans were in despair ahead of the Tri-Nations.

Worst fears seemed about to be realised when the Wallabies grabbed the first points through full-back Matt Burke who kicked a drop-goal in the third minute.

The Boks launched a counter-attack almost from the kick-off and Russell rounded off some brilliant back line play to cross for a try.

The Boks dominated the next 15 minutes with their pack proving too strong for the Wallabies, who tried to play their usual possession game but struggled because they could not get any momentum going and frequently turned the ball over.

Despite the Springboks’ domination up front, the Wallabies still looked the side most likely to score and that proved the case when Wendell Sailor went over for a simple try after 24 minutes.

The Wallabies were camped in their own half for most of the previous 20 minutes but once they got to the Boks’ 22-metre area they scored. Burke converted to give the visitors a 10-7 lead.

South Africa evened the score on the half hour with a brilliant penalty from Koen from the left touchline.

The Boks reclaimed the lead after 35 minutes when Koen slotted another long-range penalty.

It seemed to spur the home side on – Russell in particular. He fielded a cross kick from Sailor on his 22-metre area and started a counter-attack.

After handling twice more he found wing Stefan Terblanche who sent lock Victor Matfield over for a fabulous try.

Koen converted to give the Boks a 20-10 lead at the halfway point.

The tide could have turned soon after the break when, after a sustained spell of Wallaby pressure, centre De Wet Barry was sin-binned for a professional foul.

The Wallabies scored almost immediately when Phil Waugh barged over from close range and Burke converted to cut the lead to 20-17.

But Koen soon stretched the lead again with two more long-range penalties after 51 and 53 minutes.

Barry returned, but the Wallabies scored almost immediately when Joe Roff converted a fabulous move to score in the left corner. Burke failed to convert and the home side’s lead had been cut to 26-22.

Play swung from end to end in the last 20 minutes, but the Springbok defence held to ensure a well deserved victory.