After a run of defeats the Wallabies will finally get their hands on a trophy, winning the Nelson Mandela Plate, in a performance that was too strong for South Africa in Brisbane taking victory 23-17.
There were concerns early after Warren Whitely crossed for the fastest try ever scored by the Boks against the Wallabies.
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Despite the Wallabies looking creative, they were soon to go down by a second try, after captain Adriaan Strauss expertly picked off a Bernard Foley pass with the Wallabies hot on attack, feeding Elton Jantjies who coolly slipped a kick through for Johan Goosen to run onto and score easily.
At 14-3 down it didn’t look good for the home side, but there was never a feeling that South Africa were dominating, and slowly but surely the Wallabies worked themselves back into the game.
The try came before halftime courtesy of a decision to turn down 3 points followed by a drive to the line, where Genia switched to the blind, looping a long pass to Adam Coleman, who crashed over for his first test try.
The second half started brightly for the Wallabies, who went a man up after Eben Etzebeth was sin-binned for not rolling away at a ruck.
They didn’t quite nail their advantage, but did look the stronger side, until eventually their second try came after sustained pressure – Bernard Foley running with purpose to score next to the posts.
A thrilling finish looked to be in store but the game strangely degenerated after that – the Boks seemingly without the collective purpose and flair to find a try, and the Wallabies seemingly too scared to step up and win the game on their own terms.
Too often they kicked the ball away instead of putting pressure on the Boks, but in the end it mattered not, and the Boks failed to come close to a final try which might have snatched the game.
For the winners, the set piece was much better tonight – not perfect, but certainly improved in the lineout, and the Wallabies scrum was dominant. Michael Hooper was strong all night, in attack and defence.
Will Genia was again very efficient at halfback, and it was great to see Quade Cooper once again creating play. His combination with Foley was better tonight. Credit too to both wingers, Dane Haylett-Petty and Reece Hodge who were busy all night.
For South Africa, some good performances up front, but once again, they seem to lack cohesiveness and a clear identity under Allister Coetzee – at least so far.
They got good value from their bench, and it was good to see captain Adriaan Strauss much more prominent tonight.
But, at the end of the day, they weren’t really good enough to win, and the Wallabies weren’t really bad enough to lose.
Still plenty to work on for both teams – the Boks will need to find at least ten more gears next week in New Zealand, while the Wallabies will face Argentina in a much more positive frame of mind.
Final Score:
Australia 23
South Africa 17
Uncle Eric
Guest
Problem wasn't the high balls, it was the execution. Generally the SA kicks were too long and not high enough. The only fluff from Folau was where there was a genuine contest for the ball. All the others were chest marks as he was moving forward.
Chris
Guest
Wallabies and boks are now 2 substandard teams who have truly fallen. The gap between All Black and England and the rest will only widen in my opinion, although it's fair to say at this stage there is also a gap between all blacks and England until England close that gap which they clearly haven't had the chance to do so far. Wallabies clearly do not have much emerging talent and will only get worse with the other sports taking center stage in aussie. As for boks where do I start this is clearly the worst bok team I have seen lacking in basic skills and attacking flair trying to use brute force only which they clearly will no longer be even able to do against more physical sides like England, France, pumas etc. And the quota system means boks will only get worse. I reckon montpellier which we know are predominantly bok has beens are better than this current bok side in my opinion.
Dontcallmeshirley
Guest
He should never have been penalised for that shoulder. Complete over reaction from the officials.
Internal Fixation
Guest
Didn't he catch every high ball except 1? Not his best game offensively and gave a silly penalty but my Saffa mate was going crazy as they hoisted high ball after high ball only for Izzy to secure possession.
KiwiHaydn
Guest
The last 5 minutes when SA had to score a try to win, they were completely bereft of ideas and continually kicking the ball or shovelling it along their backline. After the performance of the Lions in Super Rugby, I was sure the Springboks would be a massive threat this year, guess not.
Timbo (L)
Guest
So, if 97% of the Australian Rugby community agree who to select and where to play them,.....Why can't Chiek Figure it out? - Has he had too many head Injuries playing at #8 for all those years?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yet in the last 2 seasons Aus have only lost to 2 teams and I think the Boks 3...
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
He merely was holding him by the already torn shirt saying "leave it boet".
Timbo (L)
Guest
I agree too but in my opinion Hodge is the heir apparent for 12, with kicking duties. This allows for a full time winger with proper go-fast speed and big enough to knock over small buildings. Morahan would be a good choice but the next Fijian to qualify for representation will work just fine as well.
Timbo (L)
Guest
Cooper behaved like a lonely lady at a bachelorette party, I was half expecting him to slip a couple of singles into the waistband of his EE's shorts. Not a good look for Cooper.
Buckman
Guest
To borrow a term from economics, there are some 'green shoots' in the wallabies performance. There intensity was improved, the niggle from the ABs game replaced by focus on the football. Genia, Cooper, Foley combo showed promise, and Foley esp will be buoyed by that performance. Similarly DHP was improved, Hodge looked solid. Even Moore contributed. And like other commenters have said the locks and others look like they can form the basis of a solid wallabies outfit for years to come. Even cheika looked more composed, clearly chastened after his performance last week, and the coverage of it. This side has the potential to build into something, without a doubt. There will be some hiccups on the way, Argentina next week may prove a bridge too far at this stage, but there's light at the end of the tunnel.
Pete McAloney
Roar Pro
Speaking of the nude up, did you notice Quade tenaciously tearing his shirt while EE was going agro against of our big boppers? It was very funny.
Pete McAloney
Roar Pro
To be fair, the typos are very amusing, the "god opening try" is my fave ;)
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
He's under 90.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Absolutely poor technique carrying the ball in the wrong hand. Couldn't fend properly and it cost him the try. But I didn't see any options to pass to off him.
Don
Roar Rookie
He's not that small TWAS. Tall enough to stand in a tackle and get a ball away. Maybe at 94KG he is 5kg off being ideal. And he doesn't "play small" if you get what I mean. He is OK with running hard into contact and will get low and take guys front on.
Don
Roar Rookie
And although he made a fundamental error with the ball carry, I still can't call it a butchered "certain" try. Maybe he would have scored. Maybe he wouldn't. I'll label it as he just didn't give himself the best chance.
Lara
Guest
Let's be honest, two so called heavyweights of World rugby and they played like over the hill pros.....it was a game without direction , poor coaching , aimless kicking , just plain boring . Both teams need to go away and have a hard look at themselves , take whatever positives from the game , but be honest.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
The line out wasn't hugely improved either. We just won scrappy ball against inferior opposition. SA didn't have the quality of jumpers that NZ did.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It just might work. But you lose too much with a player like him (small) in crash balls and defense.