JULIAN LINDEN, Brisbane | Sunday 11.45am.
SOUTH Africa’s World Cup plans were left in tatters after they crashed to a record 32-6 defeat by Australia in a Tri-Nations match on Saturday.
The Springboks, who hold the world and Tri-Nations titles but are struggling with injuries this season, were outplayed by a rampant Wallaby team as they slumped to their third straight defeat in the past month.
South Africa’s loss was not only their biggest against Australia but also their second worst result against any nation in their proud rugby history, only marginally better than last weekend’s 28-0 loss to New Zealand.
It could have been worse against Australia if the Wallabies had not turned down a host of kickable penalties in the pursuit of tries.
”We’ve had a shocking run of injuries lately but that’s no excuse,” Bok coach Nick Mallett said.
”Everyone has always said that one of the strong points in South African rugby is our depth but it’s obvious we don’t have the depth for international level.”
With the South Africans forced to field a weakened team because of the loss of around half their first-choice players, the Australians ran in four tries to nil to register their biggest ever win over South Africa.
Wallaby fullback Matthew Burke contributed 17 points with a try and five goals while winger Joe Roff scored twice and flyhalf Tim Horan once as Australia posted their 10th victory on the trot, matching the record of the 1991 World Cup-winning side.
”I think we played very well but South Africa have obviously got some problems. They didn’t seem to be as well organised as they have in the past but I’m sure they’ll be a very different proposition by the World Cup (in October),” Australian coach Rod Macqueen said.
South Africa began Saturday’s match well, dominating the early scrums and lineouts but, with most of their key backs absent through injury, were forced to play the game tight, running their forwards off the rucks and mauls.
Their tactics proved effective over the first quarter of the match but eventually, the Australians, who had lost their last three matches to South Africa, took control through their more expansive game.
Adding to South Africa’s woes was news that two of their players would be out of action after suffering injuries during the match.
Centre Pieter Muller strained a medial ligament and is facing at least a month on the sidelines while prop Os Du Randt damaged a hip and will be out of action for at least three weeks.
”There’s not really all that much I can say about the way things are going for us at the moment,” Mallett said.
”If you come to Australia and New Zealand with inexperienced and injured players then your’re on a hiding to nothing.” — Reuters
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