Boks clinch thriller to end losing streak
Juan Smith's try captured by Gerhard Steenkamp (superimage.co.za)
The Springboks brushed aside an awful start to beat the Wallabies 44 – 31 in a strange but yet entertaining match at Loftus in Pretoria. A total of nine converted tries were scored, four in the first 15minutes of the match and seven in the loose first half.
The Wallabies scored two tries in the first five minutes, one by scrumhalf Will Genia and the other by wing James O’Connor to take a 14 – 0 lead, leaving the Boks, as well as 40’000+ fans speechless and anticipating a hiding of note.
The Springboks struck back immediately with a great try from Free State Cheetahs flanker Juan Smith who took a short pass from scrumhalf Francois Hougaard, ran an impressive inside angle to run straight through the Wallabies defensive line and handing off Drew Mitchell’s last ditch effort.
Australian winger James O’Connor got his second try handed to him when Bryan Habana failed to take a regulation kick-off cleanly. O’Connor snapped up the ball and powered through a half-hearted tackle from Habana to dive over in the corner. Leaving Habana slamming his fists to the ground in disbelieve. Matt Giteau slotted his third conversion and Australia took a 21-7 lead after 11minutes.
South Africa added their second try with Gurthro Steenkamp worming his way over the line from a lineout. Morne Steyn converted and a few minutes later converted a 59meter penalty to take the score to 17-21.
Habana’s nightmare continued when he handed the Wallabies their fourth and bonus-point try. Habana fielded a deep kick but instead of kicking for touch he tried to step his way through three defenders, only to be dragged down with Frans Steyn the only Bok in support. Steyn had no other choice but to dive into the ruck and referee Alain Rolland awarded the penalty. Genia took a quick tap and simply popped the ball to lock Dean Mum who comfortably dove over with no defenders in sight.
There looked to be no end in sight to the try festival at Loftus when Pierre Spies grabbed an offload from Hougaard to score the Boks’ third try. The Boks building good phases and keeping ball in hand before the try.
The last ten minutes of the first half was littered with errors and Australia went into the break, leading 28-24.
The second half looked more like a Tri-Nations test and less like a Hong Kong Sevens match with only two tries being scored and both teams making a step up in defensive efforts.
The Boks scored first through a Morne Steyn penalty and Australia was next with their own, making the score 27-31 after 48minutes. Both penalties awarded for high tackles.
It was however the Springboks who increased their intensity and the Wallabies making numerous mistakes under physical defensive pressure from the Boks.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers clearly learned from his mistakes last weekend against the All Blacks, this time round making the correct substitutions at the right times with Butch James replacing Morne Steyn and Chilliboy Ralepele coming on for a tiring captain John Smit. He also made sure that his best players for the second week running stayed on for the full 80minutes. Juan Smith and Francois Hougaard remained on field and in the end it was Hougaard who got the nod for Man of the Match with try-saving tackles, blistering runs and excellent service to his backline.
Returning to the side, Frans Steyn looked shaky at first but scored the Boks’ fourth try when Morne Steyn got stopped just short of the line and then in a freakish offload popped the ball from the back of his hand to Frans Steyn who dotted the ball down in the corner. Morne Steyn converted the try before he was replaced by James at flyhalf.
Frans Steyn added a 50m penalty conversion minutes later.
The Wallabies knowing they need to score another try soon launched a massive attack on the Boks’ line but got stopped short time and time again by a determined Bok team and some poor handling errors.
It was especially Victor Matfield, in his 100th Test cap, that disrupted the Wallabies at lineout time and snatched crucial balls at crucial times to relieve the pressure.
With less than 3minutes remaining and not wanting a repeat of last weekends heartbreaking end, Hougaard snatched up a ball went on another damaging run, stepping his way past defenders and offloading to Pierre Spies, also stepping inside desperate Australian defense. The move looked set to end when Spies got smashed in a tackle but yet again it was Hougaard who recycled the ball with lightning pace, sending it down the line to Jean de Villiers who swung it wide for JP Pietersen who finished a great try by stepping inside the final effort from Kurtley Beal.
Butch James took his time with the conversion and by the time the ball went over the crossbar referee Alain Rolland blew his final whistle.
SOUTH AFRICA 44 – 31 AUSTRALIA
Point Scorers:
South Africa:
Tries: Juan Smith, Gurthro Steenkamp, Pierre Spies, Frans Steyn, JP Pietersen
Conversions: Morne Steyn (4), Butch James
Penalties: Morne Steyn (2), Frans Steyn
Australia:
Tries: Will Genia, James O’Connor (2), Dean Mum
Conversions: Matt Giteau (4)
Penalty: Matt Giteau
'VIC'tory by Gerhard Steenkamp (superimage.co.za)
[Report by James Loretz for www.15.co.za] [james@rugby15.co.za]
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