Springboks beaten again
South Africa are still waiting for their first win in this year's Tri-Nations after Australia triumphed 14-9 at King's Park.
Last Updated: 14/08/11 10:45pm
South Africa are still waiting for their first win in this season's Tri-Nations after Australia triumphed 14-9 at King's Park in Durban.
A try from Pat McCabe in the early stages of the second half helped the Wallabies bounce back from last week's 30-14 loss to New Zealand.
The Springboks, who had lost their opening two fixtures in the tournament this year, including going down 39-20 in Sydney on July 23, had hoped the return of many of their star names would see a change in their fortunes.
They did hold a 6-0 lead too, but eventually succumbed to a pair of James O'Connor penalties in the final quarter of a hard-fought contest.
Much-changed team
South Africa coach Pieter de Villiers made 13 alterations to the team which succumbed 40-7 to New Zealand a fortnight ago, including recalling World Cup winners Bryan Habana, Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha.
Full-back Francois Steyn, another big name back in the fold, booted the hosts ahead after just two minutes with a long-range penalty.
Australia replied with a period of pressure on their opponents' line, with only an interception by Jaque Fourie keeping them at bay as they looked set to score.
Instead it was South Africa who registered the next points, Butch James punishing Ben Alexander for an infringement at a scrum to make it 6-0.
The former Bath fly-half then wasted a further penalty opportunity before the 'Boks had a try chalked off, Fourie knocking the ball on just before he grounded Fourie du Preez's clever kick in behind.
Crucial try
The visitors conceded seven penalties during the opening half but finally got on the board soon after the re-start with three points from O'Connor.
Crucially, they then crossed for the only try of the game just three minutes later.
An overlap was worked excellently in the right corner, allowing O'Connor to set up centre McCabe for his maiden five-pointer in Test rugby.
The conversion, though, was missed and a second penalty from James just before the hour mark left the score at 9-5 to the South Africans.
However the home team proved unable to cling on to their lead as the rain began to pour down, O'Connor's pair of penalties sealing a fourth win for Australia in their last five matches against the reigning world champions.
