CRAIG RAY, Cape Town | Monday 3.30pm
SOUTH Africa ended a four match losing streak with a nail-biting 10-9 win over Australia at Newlands in Cape Town.
It was South Africa’s first win of the Tri-Nations, but after a run of recent poor results the way they achieved the objective was irrelevant, only the result mattered.
Centre Robbie Fleck scored the only try of the match in the 63rd minute which put the hosts into a 10-6 lead, from where the Wallabies could not catch-up.
It could have been different if a three-man Australian overlap in the opening minute was utilised. Instead the ball went to ground and the Springboks were let off the hook.
That was the catalyst the ailing Boks were in need of as they then began to assume control of the match through their impressive play in the loose.
Rassie Erasmus, Andre Vos and Andre Venter proved there is life after Gary Teichmann as they repeatedly knocked the Wallaby defenders backwards.
Discipline was also a key as the Springboks only conceded one kickable penalty in the first half which fullback Matt Burke duly converted.
Halftime saw the sides evenly poised at 3-3 but the Springboks had the psychological edge due to their stronger first half performance.
While the Wallabies played with the swirling wind at their backs in the second stanza, they failed to utilise the advantage, with some poor kicking.
“The wind was tricky, but South Africa adapted better,” said Wallaby skipper David Wilson.
“Our kicking was really poor though and we gave away a great deal of good possession.
“Our chasing down of the kicks was also below par.”
The Springbok defence eroding the Wallaby confidence, South Africa managed to set up wave after wave of intense attacks that took their toil on the visitors.
Fleck crashed over from a scrumhalf position after the Springboks had set-up a strong ruck through several phases of play.
With the score at 10-6, Burke landed a third penalty narrowing the difference to just a point.
With five minutes remaining he missed a 40 metre penalty that could have won the game, that the hosts deservedly won.
“We were extremely disappointed with our performance today,” said Wallaby coach Rod Macqueen.
“But I don’t want to take anything away from the Springboks – they deserved the win.” — MWP