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Bok fightback: Juan Smith crosses over for South Africa's first try
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- Min-by-min: How the Springboks came from behind to win
South Africa salvaged some pride in Pretoria thanks to a thrilling 44-31 Tri-Nations win over Australia, a Test that will go down as one of the classics.
Nine scintillating tries were scored at Loftus Versfeld in a fast and furious encounter - five of them coming from the Springboks - but the one that counted the most belonged to JP Pietersen who sealed the deal in the last minute of play.
The result brought South Africa's four-game losing streak to an end in emphatic fashion, and moves the Springboks one point above the Wallabies on the tournament standings.
The bonus-point win also allowed vice-captain Victor Matfield to enjoy a triumphant 100th Test on his home ground - the first of the three Bok centurions to have this satisfaction.
With New Zealand having already clinched the Tri-Nations title last week, the best both sides could aim for was second place in the remaining games. But while the competition may be over as a contest, the hunger to win is still very much alive as witnessed in the Republic tonight.
South Africa were 14-0 behind after five minutes and trailed 28-24 at the break, but came back well in the second half. However, as memorable as the breathless battle was, the defensive performances from both sides was one of the most inept in Tri-Nations history.
The Springboks were certainly the worse of the two for much of the contest, conceding four tries in the first half alone - three of them thanks to defensive incompetence of the very highest order. A year ago these same players were defensive giants, granitic in nature. Now they're being dwarfed by a younger, fitter outfit.
The Wallabies should have been ahead inside the opening two minutes when good work from their backs set up Drew Mitchell, who looked to have scored on the left corner, only to be denied by the television official.
But it mattered little as Will Genia then picked up at the base of a ruck and sold a dummy to Flip van der Merwe and ran through Matfield before crossing.
After Matt Giteau converted, the lead was extended after some exceptional manoeuvring by Kurtley Beale in his own half, which saw the full-back ghost his way past at least five Springbok defenders. He then found Rocky Elsom and picked out James O'Connor for his fifth Test try.
Another Giteau conversion followed, but the hosts finally managed to get on the board after nine minutes when Francois Hougaard's switched pass let flank Juan Smith run in under the posts.
Morne Steyn added the extras, although, Bryan Habana did his side little favour by gifting the advantage back to the tourists - the Stormers winger made a mess of trying to take a high ball from the kick-off, allowing O'Connor in for his second.
Giteau made it three out of three to take the score to 21-7.
A remarkable fifth try of the game came in the 14th minute when captain John Smit cleverly chose to set up a line-out rather than take the points and he was rewarded when Matfield's powerful shift allowed prop Gurthro Steenkamp to barge his way over - with Morne Steyn converting.
A 60m penalty from the Springbok number ten then cut the deficit even further and when Beale tried to do the same thing and missed, there was a sense from the home crowd that their luck was about to change.
However, it was again not to be - Wallabies lock Dean Mumm landing the bonus-point try for his side after 26 minutes. Mitchell's kick in-field from the left put Habana under pressure for the second time and the ensuing tap-and-go penalty led to the Waratahs lock powering his way over.
But the tries didn't stop there. Nine minutes before the break Hougaard latched onto a pop pass, slipped through a gap and then found Pierre Spies who went over under the posts.
Morne Steyn reduced the deficit to four with his conversion to complete a rare 52-point half in international rugby.
The Bulls fly-half and Giteau exchanged penalties after the restart, before Habana's third blunder arised when he overran a pop pass from Morne Steyn that fortuitously bounced for Francois Steyn - returning to the side for the first time since June -to dot down and give the Boks the lead for the first time after 50 minutes.
Morne Steyn completed a tough conversion putting Peter de Villiers' team three points ahead (34-31).
The hosts were then put under pressure when they failed to score with a lost ball on the Wallabies' line, and the visitors ran the length of the field -sparked by more Beale brilliance -only to be denied by poor handling after a ruck or two on the Springboks line.
The visitors sustained the pressure and this time it took Hougaard to bring off a try-saving tackle on Adam Ashley Cooper metres from South Africa's tryline.
Francois Steyn, noted for his booming right boot, then landed a penalty from his own half to stretch the lead to six with 11 minutes to play. And Pietersen added a late score, converted by Butch James, as the world champions closed out the win.
Man of the match: South Africa largely have scrum-half Francois Hougaard to thank for the win. He set up three of the Boks' five tries and made a try-saving - even match-saving - tackle when the home side were on the rack in the last quarter.
Moment of the match: Nine tries! Take your pick. But with both sides' defence exhibiting the resistant qualities of a weathered, old barn door and the intensity of touch rugby players at the tackle point - Hougaard's tackle on Ashley-Cooper takes the cake.
Villain of the match: No cards, but one feels that Australia were their own worst enemies in the second half at Loftus. The Wallabies' high error count prevented them from winning at altitude in South Africa for the first time since 1963!
The scorers:
For South Africa:
Tries: Smith, Steenkamp, Spies, F Steyn, Pietersen
Cons: M Steyn 4, James
Pens: M Steyn 2, F Steyn
For Australia:
Tries: Genia, O'Connor 2, Mumm
Cons: Giteau 4
South Africa: 15 Francois Steyn, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Janie du Plessis, 2 John Smit, 1 Gurtho Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Ryan Kankowski, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Butch James, 22 Juan de Jongh.
Australia: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 James O'Connor, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom (captain), 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Saia Faainga, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 James Slipper, 18 Ben McCalman, 19 Scott Higginbotham, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Berrick Barnes, 22 Anthony Faainga.
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
By Dave Morris
Comments
justice_4_all says...
@pagra, Okay, now I understand. And agree that sometimes critical matches like RWC final can be stifled by conservatism and that this match had moments of sublime beauty...Beale's break, for example. In my view, it is not just about winning a particular match, but the ongoing struggle and growth. And yes, Victor Matfield is a great sportman and player, a real gentleman....and never a hint of foul play.
Posted 22:27 01st September 2010
pagra says...
@J4A,
No apologies neccessary..I`d like to think were all friendly here (although sometimes it does sound a bit niggly).
I should`nt have to, but let me explain my remarks a little....
About the "nothing" match:
Do you really think that any player out there cared much about 2nd place in the tourney? The ABs have the hardware....Don`t kid yourself..It`s all or nothing for these boys.
If anything I think that they were playing for pride, which to me is a strong motivating factor.
As for the cell phone remark ; it was a euphemism. I believe there was a tacit understanding by both coaches that this match was a chance this was a chance to open up the game plan and play some running rugby since the championship was no longer an issue.
You don`t have to be a genius to see how different this game was played compared to much of the tenative "play it safe " tactics of match play before the ABs sewed it up.From a coaching perspective it was a golden opportunity to experiment and see what the players could do within another scenario. Don`t forget the RWC is next year....
I`m generally not positive about PDV but he did make the right decision as far as how to play this one.
The remark about Matfield was an homage to him and his style. This was the last time he would wear Sprinbok colours at home and it was bittersweet to see him take that last lap in appreciation of the the home crowd. As a former inside half
(and we do appreciate the donkeys), I`m sorry to see him go. But glad he`ll be around for the RWC.
Thanks for the tips...and I hope that this clears the air...Anyways, it`s something to talk to my therapist about (LOL).
Posted 18:42 31st August 2010
Trinats says...
Justice 4 all:
Keep up the good work, slowly sinking in, and just like the Wallabies I lack consistency. But it's inevitable, I wll run out a winner for the foreseeable future (next two world cups at least !!!).
Posted 10:45 31st August 2010
justice_4_all says...
@Trinats, What has upset you now? Was it me correcting your brag that your scoreline prediction was correct? Or my ignoring the little falsehoods that followed in an incoherent mumble about why the last try should have been disallowed? Sorry mate, just want to be factual. And as to being "cocky after a win," I don't see it. I was awed by many brilliant plays from Australia and said so. I thought that we were lucky to win (and may well not have without poor replacement calls from RD, but didn't say so bacause it had been said so many times before and i am only interested in improving the Wallabie side so that they give us--all 3 nations--a decent contest). What will not change from me is the quest to stamp out stupidity from all sides. Your last statement "so well done on your winning percentage (a marvelous 50%) as world champions. " indicates that just when I thought i was making progress with you, I see that I still have work to do.
Posted 10:04 31st August 2010
Trinats says...
Justice 4: pull your head in, you are displaying some very strong SA traits (not all of SA, rooinek), cocky after a win. Or you have changed your internet plan to unlimited usage with all your rants (as humorous as they are).
This is a rugby forum, so well done on your winning percentage (a marvelous 50%) as world champions.
Posted 09:05 31st August 2010
justice_4_all says...
@pagra, Apologies. That was a bit OTT. But if there was no strong drink involved, I'd be worried about statements like these: "adds nothing to the TriNations standings"--except determining second place? "I tend to think that PDV and Robbie Deans had each others cell phone numbers for this match "--huh? They are conspiring? ...and this "sad to see a real entertainer like Matfield retire"--he hasn't retired. Here's some advice from inside the bubble mate: If strong drink isn't involved, it may be something more serious. Have you thought about a scan?
Posted 07:24 31st August 2010
pagra says...
J4A...
If I drank I might take offense at your rants...Hope you find peace in that bubble of your, mate...
Posted 00:12 31st August 2010
justice_4_all says...
@trinats and danut, I forgot to say that I agree that the Hougaard to Spies pass looks forward to me. I am not sure if I agree that there are far more forward passes "allowed" in the modern game. I suspect that there are just more of us watching and re-watching the games in frame-by-frame mode. Even so, it takes quite a bit of work lining up the mowing stripes and counting the dashes in the 15 meter line to "determine" (frequently guess) that a pass was forward. I think that if anything the quality if reffing has improved as they have become more professional and subject to video analyses after the game
Posted 13:15 30th August 2010
justice_4_all says...
@dylster LOL...I swear that it was a simple spelling error. I wish that I could claim that it was a well hidden insult, but it was just my poor spelling. Appologies Trinats, you are a pretty impressive analyst (when not swayed by your magnificent support of the Wallabies). Good luck for next week. I expect that both teams will tighten up the areas of weakness, but I am not sure that my heart can stand the expected epic battle.
Posted 12:42 30th August 2010
danut says...
Justice
I am referring to all missed forward passes(and a few correct ones called forward) in this TN and are lots of them!!
In the past(maybe more than 10 years ago) rarely a forward pass was missed and now there are dozens in a game.
I know the game is quick now and the refs are humans butt I am afraid this is not the point!
I think it is something like a guide for the refs to let the game flaw for the spectacle,not be so strict like in soccer but it will became like soccer,a comedy of errors!!
We all know what happened in 2007 RWC but it will happen again!!
Maybe the world champions will be decided by a forward pass so what happens with our beloved game!?
To much money involved already and it will became like soccer!!
Posted 12:19 30th August 2010
dylster says...
justice 4 all....2 things...
1 - i hope by 'analist' you mean analyst, cos if you mean 'analist', well thats something else altogether that i reckon Trinats wouldn't be that happy about being called...hahahhaha!!
2 - your otherpost is on the money and so well put. I totally agree with your thoughts on Beale and McCaw (funny that - im a kiwi!). Beale just screams danger whenever he touches the ball, that with the class of Mitchell (who i thought was robbed, look like a try to me) and the developing skills of O'Connor is making for an interesting back 3 for the Aussies.
On the bok side of things, I was glad to see the boks win. Hougard is an exciting new player, and their loosies are starting to play like the real boks loosies you love / hate!
Posted 09:30 30th August 2010
tacksharp says...
Classic match?!!! A classic lesson in leaky defence. Both teams deserved to win/lose.
Posted 09:26 30th August 2010
Trinats says...
danut:
There was no forward pass, just a mistake by the ref. He also missed Beale's quick tap for Mumm to score (tap was not taken at last feet of ruck) and also missed the forward pass from Hougards to Spies for his try. But thats rugby - as J.T. says, what goes around !
Posted 08:47 30th August 2010
StunTheMullet says...
Maybe I was watching a different game as I didn't see a "classic" test match unfold.
Yes, there were LOTS OF TRIES, if that somehow means it's a classic, but there were also LOTS OF BUMBLEFINGERS, LOTS OF BAD OPTIONS and LOTS OF BAD DEFENSE.
Also, the referee didn't seem to know what advantage was and missed a lot of forward passes, lying on the ball and off the ball work by the Boks. Undoubtedly we won't hear endless whining about the referee this week as the scoreline was the right way round and the All Blacks weren't cheating again.
Posted 02:57 30th August 2010
5Lock4ward says...
Rolf, I think when Los Pumas join in 2012 the new 4N will see a home and away match for each opponent. I agree with your thoughts on Smit, the competitor in him believes he's still the best man for the job but it would appear to many of us that this is no longer correct.
Posted 01:34 30th August 2010
safehands says...
Exciting game of rugby for the neutral. Well done to SA on the win. Wallabies best chance to win a game on the highveld but see Deans has taken a leaf out of PDV's coaching manual and sabotaged his own teams chances by his shocking substitution selections....or lack of them!!
I said SA by 15 so was pretty close, but I don't think the world of rugby is quivering after watching that game. Plenty of errrors from both sides, very poor defence in the first half in particular. Second was only marginally better.
We'll have a true indication in next years 3N comp as to which team is where when/if all the injured AB, Wallaby players return and SA get their selections right.
Posted 01:30 30th August 2010
dylster says...
funny how there are no complaints about Rollaind...so is the conspiracy theory over now?
Posted 23:02 29th August 2010
justice_4_all says...
@danut, you are right, the pass to Sharpe was flat not forward and a mistake by the refs. I assume that the missed forward pass calls you are referring to are the half meter forward pass to Mitchel just before his non-try (which I would have awarded if I had been the TMO), the 1+ meter forward pass from Beale to Elsom and then the borderline (by inches) forward pass to O'Conner for the second try which could only be caught by frame-by-frame replay. And that is the point...the refs are human. The laws of the game (fortunately) do not permit TMO and video replay in the field of play. Mistakes are made....or rather, as I prefer to think of it, the refs make their best judgement on the evidence they have and that is frequently from a bad angle or while unsighted by intervening players etc. Contrary to the adolescent claims and attitudes of some fans (from all nations), there aren't any crooked refs out there, just mistaken ones who occasionally make the wrong call and are sometimes manipulated by the "butter wouldn't melt in his mouth" look and sheer brilliance of players like Richie McCaw (who in my view is NOT cheating, but is playing the great game, which includes occassionally playing the ref). Richie's positional role is, after all, that of poacher and if that doesn't call for a little exploration of the tolerence of the law as it is being enforced on the field, then we lose an important element of the great game. Needless to say, I think that McCaws critics who cry foul or cheating do not understand this aspect of the game. And by the way, I thought that Beale's brilliance, absolute sheer brilliance, deserved the 7 points and I was glad that he got away with the forward pass, even against my team. I was also glad that things evened up and we won which makes for another great contest between these great teams next week.
Posted 21:48 29th August 2010
justice_4_all says...
@pagra, have another cider mate, then get all those little thoughts that are scurrying around your head like rats in a bucket all straightened out, then open your mouth....you will make far more sense. In case you think your home brew has gone all methy and you're seeing ghosts on the rugby field, Matfield is only planning retirement and will confirm after the Boks are crowned RWC2011 champs in a little over a year from now....about 400 hangovers from now by your way of marking the passage of time.
Posted 20:08 29th August 2010
ashley71 says...
Rolf, for your information, it will continue to be 3 home matches & 3 away but it will be fair because there will be 4 teams in it...Argentina are joining after the world cup.
Posted 19:28 29th August 2010