Lock Victor Matfield got the perfect 100-cap present as South Africa ended a losing streak by defeating Australia 44-31 on Saturday in a Tri-Nations Test thriller.
The Springboks twice clawed back from 14-point deficits in a seven-try opening half and after trailing 24-28 at half-time took control to claim a first win of the southern hemisphere championship season.
However, the green and gold had to wait until the 79th minute before being certain of success as right wing J.P. Pietersen dashed over for the fifth Bok try after a break from man-of-the-match and scrum-half Francois Hougaard.
PHOTO: AFP
“I have had an unbelievable career and to reach 100 caps at Loftus Versfeld is wonderful. These fans are my people and I want to thank them very much,” Matfield said.
The 33-year-old forward was desperate to end a curse that has haunted Bok centurions with the other two, retired fullback Percy Montgomery and current captain and hooker John Smit, finishing as losers on their special day.
Victory moved South Africa off the bottom of the table and halted a run of four consecutive defeats, while Australia were suffering their third loss in a row after starting with a Brisbane triumph over the Boks.
The Highveld bogey continued for the Wallabies as they have not won in the high-altitude central regions of South Africa since 1963 when Ken Catchpole inspired a 11-9 Ellis Park victory.
“I am really happy because this was a game we had to win. There were some basic errors and it was not a perfect performance. Hopefully we will keep improving,” said Smit, who reached the 100-cap mark last weekend.
Wallabies skipper and flanker Rocky Elsom bemoaned a lack of second-half possession: “Although we got off to a flier, the Boks retaliated just as fast. In the second half we did not retain possession enough to win.”
Australia ran at South Africa from the kick-off and were rewarded after three minutes when scrum-half Will Genia crossed the line to be followed a couple of minutes later by right wing James O’Connor.
The rattled Springboks got their first try through flanker Juan Smith only for left wing Bryan Habana to gift O’Connor his second try by failing to hold a deep kick off.
With 38 points on the scoreboard midway through the first half, the Tri-Nations record of 90 in a game looked in danger, but the frenetic tempo took its toll in the second half with many forwards tiring.
South Africa edged in front for the first half on 50 minutes when recalled Paris-based fullback Francois Steyn dived over and Morne Steyn converted to give the home team a 34-31 advantage.
Juan Smith, Gurthro Steenkamp and Pierre Spies scored tries in the first half for the Boks, and Francois Steyn and Pietersen after the break.
Fly-half Morne Steyn confirmed he is back to his goal-kicking best by converting four tries and kicking two penalties, Francois Steyn landed a trademark long-range penalty and Butch James kicked the final conversion.
O’Connor claimed two Australian tries and Will Genia and lock Dean Mumm one apiece. Inside center Matt Giteau converted all four and also slotted a penalty, while fullback Kurtley Beale missed his only shot at goal.
The teams meet again on Saturday in central city Bloemfontein before the championship reaches a Sept. 11 climax when runaway winners New Zealand visit Sydney.
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