Australia winger Drew Mitchell scored two tries as the Barbarians beat South Africa 26-20 at Twickenham on Saturday to end a disappointing year for the world champions.
Peter de Villiers’ men were outplayed and out-run by the Barbarian entertainers who thrilled the crowd with four tries in all, the other two coming from Australia fullback James O’Connor and South Africa-born Italy international Quintin Geldenhuys.
O’Connor also converted three tries for an 11-point haul.
Odwa Ndunganem, Bakkies Botha and Bandise Maku scored tries for the Springboks, who won just once in this year’s Tri-Nations and saw their hopes of a ‘grand slam’ ended by a shock loss to Scotland at Murrayfield last month.
“The Barbarians side was full of world stars mainly from Australia and New Zealand. There’s no disgrace in losing to a team of that quality at the end of a long, hard season,” said the under-pressure de Villiers.
“The boys gave it everything and we were strong at the finish so I am not too unhappy. We now need a long break. The guys have been through a lot this year and are naturally pretty tired.”
South Africa captain Juan Smith insisted: “It was tough out there. But we have no complaints. We wanted to finish with a win but we just fell short.”
The Barbarians were coached by Nick Mallett, the former South Africa turned Italy boss, who was delighted by the outcome.
“This is the kind of performance the Barbarians are about — plenty of skill, flair, effort and tries.
“South Africa had a young team out there but they were still strong and looked a quality side. It’s testament to the strength in depth they have in South African rugby.”
Barbarians captain Matt Giteau, the out-of-favour Australia back, added: “You don’t have much time to prepare with the Barbarians but we enjoyed it.”
South Africa made twelve changes to the team which beat England 21-11 at Twickenham a week earlier, with captain Smith, veteran lock Botha and Lwazi Mvovo the only survivors.
In the traditional spirit of these occasions, the Baa Baas turned down an early straightforward penalty opportunity and opted for a scrum.
Their five minutes of constant pressure, and refusal to accept any potential three-point gifts from the referee, paid off when Mitchell finally broke through the green wall to score the first try.
The Boks showed no such desire to reject penalty chances when their rivals were penalised 30 yards out but directly in line with the posts, with 20-year-old fly-half Elton Jantjies calmly kicking his side’s first points.
The Baa Baas were made up of six Australians, six New Zealanders, and one each from South Africa, Wales and Italy. So there was plenty of edge in the contest, especially from the Antipodeans.
And it was one of the Wallabies who dived across the Bok line for the second try of the game 17 minutes into the first half.
The ball was moved swiftly across the line to the left with New Zealand centre Ma’a Nonu’s flighted pass finding O’Connor, who went over unchallenged before converting his own effort.
Two Australia internationals then combined when Adam Ashley-Cooper set up Mitchell for his second try with O’Connor adding the conversion.
South Africa responded after the break with wing Ndungane intercepting Nonu’s pass to run half the length of the field for a converted try.
The appearance of Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira helped the Boks push their forward rivals back a few yards in a real show of scrummaging power.
But the Baa Baas struck back with a move down the left which ended with replacement Geldenhuys barging his way over in the corner with O’Connor converting for a 26-10 lead.
Experienced second rower Botha then crashed his way over, and Maku did likewise in the dying seconds but it was all too little too late for the Springboks as they suffered their fourth defeat in seven matches against the Barbarians dating back to 1952.
mudskipper
Guest
Giteau just captained and directed the win from flyhalf... jeez give the guy a break...
Geoff Brisbane
Guest
With Carter at 1st 5 it would be an awesome adventue NZA v 6 Nats Champs whooowee
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Thanks for that OJ. There's been a couple of us wondering if Gits may be a fit at 15, should KB get injured. Full back should give him more time to make decisions and he has good defence IMHO. But now you have me wondering about his kicking game. I presume you are referring to deft chip kicks to turn the opposition around (that sort of thing). I'm now wondering if he still has a decent boot to gain territory.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Okay then. You are dreaming. ;)
Trevor DeAngelo
Guest
A Southern hemisphere team playing NH - Throw the kiwi forwards in with the Aus back line (maybe include Nonu) and it would have to be the best strike team in the world! Can you imagine the power and mongrel of the kiwi forwards combined with the youth, speed, hands and spontaneity of some of those Aus backs - against the best of the NH - the SH combo would be amazing. Bring it on - I for one enjoyed watching the Abs and wallabies playing together - it was interesting watching nonu throw wide to the aus backs or a kiwi forward rumble it up drawing in tired defenders for Genia to get the back line moving again. Interesting.
Moaman
Guest
While we are on the subject.....I have often thought that the Time(of year)Factor always distorts the true picture of the relative strengths of teams from the different hemispheres......you always get the "we wuz tired after our long season and you were fresh" argument.How would it be if a team,England,say,were to base itself in Australia for the duration of the Tri/Four/Five Nations and play,week-in,week-out against the SH giants? I know it will never happen but I would be licking my chops at the prospect.It could be the 6Nations Champ from the previous season automatically comes up to play in our backyard....maybe every 2nd year and alternating with the Champion of the SH going down and basing themselves in Europe in a reciprocal arrangement.That would be fresh and hopefully sort the men out from the ..er..pretenders. Tell me I'm dreaming! :-)
Moaman
Guest
;-) That really would be a case of Revenge served cold-wouldn't it? Yeah....a NZA side versus a SA/Pumas/France as the 3rd team in this mythical event would be epic too....then I guess the PI Nations& Japan,Italy would like a slice of the action.......
rugbyfan
Guest
total agreed with you vaughan....for sure whoever picked that team watched a diff autumn series. TYPICAL POMS
Jerry
Guest
It's only natural - that teams' obviously based on the matches vs England only, so their players had 3 tests to show their wares whereas the SANZAR teams only had one.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Giteau was awful, really. The South Africans were offside the entire game which affected his option taking, but he just doesn't have the kicking game to be a 10.
Vaughan
Guest
Agreed the Ozzies and the ABs would combine to make a unstoppable side. I'm a Kiwi living in the UK and was interested to read the Rugby Times. Andy Gomarsall wrote an article headed: The team of the Autumn series. Starting from 1 here is the team of the Autumn series from an English perspective: 1)Andrew Sheridan 2) Dylan Hartley 3) Owen Franks 4) Courtney Lawes 5) Victor Matfield 6) Jerome Kaino 7) David Pocock 8) Nick Easter 9) Ben Youngs 10) Dan Carter (They said just shades Toby Flood??) 11) Mark Cueto 12) Shontayne Hape 13) Adam Ashley-Cooper 14) Chris Ashton 15) Mils Muliaina. Now I'm not disagreeing with the Australian, Kiwi and South African selections here but 8 Poms in the team of the Autumn series??!?!? Give me a bloody break! No wonder why we hate the POMS!
Cattledog
Guest
To the contrary, Moaman, Nonu was strong as usual, however, I was really commenting on how Gits performed in relation to the other Aussies.
Cattledog
Guest
Yeah Betty, the ANZACs Vs the b*******s that dropped us in the wrong spot in the first place...lol
Betty B
Guest
the kiwis don't need us, but what a great side ANZ would make, v Lions.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Thanks for that about Git's Cattledog. Greatly appreciated. Completely understand the Baa Baa's style of play would have made certain things harder for him. More a case of how he went at those core skills that I hope he will rediscover. But the "The Ricky Ponting of the Wallabies"..........oh dear. ;)
Moaman
Guest
Nonu not worth a mention,Cattledog?
Cattledog
Guest
G'day Blinky, came into the game after about 20 mins I think it was. As I'm OS at the moment I get it direct on cable and will no doubt get some replays. The stand outs for me were the 3 Australians Mitchell, JOC and AAC, and to a slightly lesser extent, Genia and Moore in the forwards. For my mind Giteau certainly didn't set the backline alight but I suppose he was 'tradesman' like in his service. He sent one shocking pass that went forward and resulted in a turnover...guess you remember these aspects rather than any 'special' moments, but really can't remember any from him. O'Conner (playing 15) chimed in with AAC and Mitchell well with Rokacoco on the other wing. Mitchell scored two tries. O'Conner kicked pretty well and the kicks in general play (attack) by AAC always put the Boks under pressure aka France. As it was a Baa Baa's game, lost some composure when changes were made in the second half to give everyone a run and the Boks were able to come back a bit, but the damage was already done. I just get the feeling Giteau has lost his form to some extent, not finding the gaps or fast enough anymore to scoot through; or seeing the gaps for others. The Ricky Ponting of the Wallabies! Hope this helps.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Ah ha!!! Finally I've found someone commenting on Gits Baa Baa game. Cattledog - Care to go into more detail with your thoughts on his performance. Or anyone else for that matter. I'm truelly curious. To save typing I'll copy & paste from the Gits topic that attracted zero response to my question. As follows: 'As I was unable to watch the game I’m wondering how our Mr. Gits got on. Assuming he played at 10, did he manage to fire-up the back line, cleverly mix his options, show us a nice step, cameo a slick new long ‘Cooper-ish-like’ cut out pass with pin point accuracy that sent the man through the gap? Or was it a bunch of talent in black & white stripes jerseys and odd coloured sox just having a good old time of it against a not so good Sth African B team?'
Cattledog
Guest
A good game played by the Baa Baas, especially the Australian contingent, although Giteau did little to enhance his chances.
rugbyfan
Guest
Good stuff Baa Baas, is more like a display of the SH talents plus a few from 6nation players if you think of the numbers of ABs & Wallabies in the Baa Baa...would be nice if the best of SH play the best of NH for a charity match perhaps or even the tri-nation best vs the stars of the 6nation...