Late Beale penalty gives Wallabies victory over Boks

KEN BORLAND BLOEMFONTEIN, SOUTH AFRICA - Sep 04 2010 20:14

Fullback Kurtley Beale struck a long-range penalty with his only kick of the match to give Australia a 41-39 win over South Africa in a stirring Tri-Nations clash on Saturday.

Beale's nerveless goal in the final minute from 55 metres climaxed a game which see-sawed dramatically after the Wallabies had run the Springboks ragged in the first quarter.

Australia scored four tries in the first 26 minutes to lead 31-6 with some exhilarating broken field running.

Beale, wing James O'Connor, hooker Stephen Moore and flanker Rocky Elsom scored tries, all of which were converted by Matt Giteau.

The Springboks struck back with a converted try by centre Jaque Fourie on the stroke of halftime to cut the deficit to 31-13.

They then dominated most of the second half through converted tries to prop Gurthro Steenkamp and centre Jean de Villiers plus three penalties by Morne Steyn to take the lead in an astonishing comeback.

Wallaby wing Drew Mitchell flew through the defence for an impressive try with O'Connor's conversion returning the lead to the Australians.

It was not to last as Steyn succeeded with another penalty with three minutes remaining, which looked like proving the match winner.

But flanker David Pocock forced a ruck penalty and, after some deliberation, Beale was given the ball for the kick which was to break Springbok hearts in a miserable Tri-Nations season following their 2007 World Cup triumph and last year's series win over the Lions.

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They end bottom of the standings with only win in their six matches behind Australia and champions New Zealand, who meet next Saturday in the final match of the tournament. - Reuters

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Late Beale penalty gives Wallabies victory over Boks

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