Dunedin

A bonus-point try in injury time on Saturday gave the ACT Brumbies a glimmer of hope for the Super 14 play-offs as they scored a historic first win over the Otago Highlanders 29-10. The Brumbies needed the fourth-try bonus and at least a 10-point winning margin to get into the top four on points differential over the Waikato Chiefs.

Derick Hougaard kicked 17 points to lead South Africa’s Bulls to a 22-13 win over the Otago Highlanders in a Super 14 rugby match on Saturday. Hougaard provided the Bulls’ first 15 points from penalties then converted their only try, scored by fullback Jaco van der Westhuizen, to finish with six goals from seven attempts.

The Otago Highlanders ran in four tries to two on Friday to beat the Queensland Reds 33-17 and ensure they remained marooned at the bottom of the Super14 rugby competition. After a rough tour to South Africa early in the series, the Highlanders made the most of the home advantage at Carisbrook’s ”House of Pain”.

A four-try comeback by the Wellington Hurricanes in the second half turned around a half-time deficit to ensure a 29-13 victory against the Otago Highlanders in Dunedin on Sunday. The Hurricanes cemented their position near the top of the Super 14 table with their seventh win from nine games this season, although the five try to two win was not one of their more memorable performances.

Henno Mentz and Jaques Botes scored second-half tries and Tony Brown landed 11 points against his former teammates to give South Africa’s Sharks a 26-11 win over the Otago Highlanders in a Super 14 rugby match on Saturday. Mentz scored the first try of the second half in the 65th minute, snapping an 11-11 deadlock at Carisbrook and pushing the Durban-based Sharks towards their second win in six matches this season.

New Zealand rugby coaches will be poring over video footage of unbeaten Tri-Nations champions South Africa this week to find a way through a seemingly impregnable defence. New Zealand coach Graham Henry said the Springboks deliberately hand the ball to their opponents and then seek to impose themselves.

Jean de Villiers has moved onto the wing for South Africa and De Wet Barry comes into inside centre for the crucial Tri-Nations rugby clash against the All Blacks in Dunedin on Saturday. Springbok coach Jake White was forced to make the changes following a three-week ban slapped on winger Breyton Paulse for kicking a player during his team’s victory over the Wallabies in Perth last weekend.

Discarded All Black Nick Evans scored a try and sharpened the attacking edge of the Otago Highlanders, who beat South Africa’s Bulls 23-0 on Friday in a Super 12 rugby match at Carisbrook. Evans returned from injury to play at flyhalf for the Highlanders and made a huge impression in a 58-minute stay before a further injury forced him from the field.