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A monumental rugby win slipped through Australia’s fingers at Newlands on Saturday, the Wallabies lacking the composure needed to upset a fast-finishing South Africa.
The gallant Australians led by two points with 11 minutes left but the Springboks stormed home – running riot with three tries – for a 28-10 victory after snatching the lead with a drop goal.
Tevita Kuridrani and Scott Fardy led the way for the underdog tourists who dared to dream of snatching back the Mandela Plate and grabbing rugby’s No.2 ranking.
But they just couldn’t contain the rampant home side once replacement five-eighth Pat Lambie slotted the clutch field goal after 29 phases, and then paid dearly for their mistakes.
Newlands erupted when favourite son Jean de Villiers, the Boks captain in his last home city Test, sparked the late spree to continue the Wallabies’ 22-year drought in Cape Town.
Lambie and de Villiers, crossing for his second after the fulltime siren, rubbed salt into the wounds by punishing Australian errors with long counter-attacks.
Another Cape Town hero, Schalk Burger, was a pivotal figure as he came off a vastly experienced bench and made a major second-half impact.
For 70 minutes the Wallabies promised their biggest win under Ewen McKenzie, competing strongly at the set pieces and winning the breakdown battle.
South Africa were slightly off their game with some errant kicking and poor passing but the Wallabies’ intense pressure was also a key factor.
The Australians took a 10-5 lead into the break thanks to a pivotal three-minute period midway through the half after the Boks had done most of the attack.
A Fardy turnover within their 22 was quickly followed by Kuridrani forcing loose ball on halfway which gave Joe Tomane a 40m sprint to the line.
While Tomane failed to back his pace and was run down by Francois Hougaard, Australia gained a penalty in front which Bernard Foley slotted for a 5-3 scoreline.
The 45,000-strong Newlands crowd was then silenced from the restart, where quick hands by Matt Toomua and Israel Folau put Kuridrani into space and the big centre busted through Bryan Habana and Handre Pollard before Adam Ashley-Cooper finished a brilliant try.
The Springboks had opened the scoring through their dangerous driving maul – with flanker Marcell Coetzee dotting down in the 13th minute in an ominous sign for the visitors.
Showing their intent, the Boks kicked for touch rather than goal the next penalty received in their attacking half but Australia defended the maul well and forced an error.
It was a prime example of the Wallabies’ disciplined and patient defence, best shown late in the first half with the home side camped near their line but unable to break through, eventually paying the price for Habana and Willie le Roux fumbles.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.