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Sir Blodsnogger
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« on: August 30, 2009, 06:42:39 am » |
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The world champion Springboks are on the verge of winning the Tri-Nations after a bonus-point 32-25 victory over the Wallabies here on Saturday.
Blow-by-blow scoring
South Africa remain unbeaten in four games and stretch their lead over New Zealand to nine points with two games to play as they close in on their first southern hemisphere championship since 2004.
They are now poised to wrap up the Tri-Nations title against the Wallabies in Brisbane next Saturday.
The Springboks scored four tries, two to winger Bryan Habana, with others to Fourie du Preez and Jaque Fourie, and held off a late rally from the Australians after leading 22-6 at halftime.
South Africa also clinched the Mandela Plate with this their second victory over the Wallabies this season after beating them 29-17 in Cape Town earlier this month.
The Springboks dominated the vast majority of the contest though three second-half tries gave the Wallabies some credibility and it means the Australians' Tri-Nations Test losing run stretches back to last year.
For the home side, flyhalf Matt Giteau finished with 20 points from two tries, two conversions and two penalties, while opposite number Morne Steyn netted 12 points from three conversions and two penalties.
The Springboks hurtled out of the blocks and led 12-0 inside 10 minutes after tries to scrum-half du Preez and centre Fourie.
The world champions dominated the opening exchanges while the Wallabies bumbled and fumbled.
Du Preez caught the Wallabies by surprise with a quick tap penalty and scored in the sixth minute and Fourie strolled over off a scrum win around a bemused Giteau without a hand on him.
Typical of Australia's slovenly start came when they conceded a penalty off their first scrum feed with Steyn landing the penalty to stretch South Africa's lead to 15-0 after 16 minutes.
Giteau missed his first two kicks at goal before he finally raised the flags in the 28th minute, but the Springboks raced over for their third try minutes later.
Du Preez hoisted a high kick and Wallaby winger Lachie Turner lost the ball for Habana to sprint over in the corner for a 22-3 advantage.
Giteau kicked his second penalty on halftime but the Wallabies left the field looking clueless about how to combat the rampaging Springboks.
The Wallabies returned with more fire and spirit and Giteau planted the ball one-handed under the crossbar three minutes after the resumption to trail 22-13.
But Habana put the Springboks back in command with his second try to clinch his team's four-try bonus point after 54 minutes.
The Wallabies finished the better with two late tries to Giteau and winger Turner, but the game was gone.
Scorers:
Wallabies - Tries: Matt Giteau (2), Lachlan Turner. Conversions: Giteau (2). Penalties: Giteau (2).
Springboks - Tries: Fourie Du Preez, Jacue Fourie, Bryan Habana (2). Conversions: Morne Steyn (3). Penalties: M.Steyn (2).
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