South Africa 33 Australia 31South African captain Corne Krige was found not guilty of punching Australian flanker George Smith at a judicial hearing yesterday. Krige was cited for allegedly striking Smith during Saturday's 33-31 win over the Wallabies, which prevented Australia from pipping New Zealand to the Tri-Nations title .
The South African Rugby Football Union disciplinary hearing also decided that Krige's Springbok team-mate Marius Joubert would receive no further punishment for the high tackle on full-back Mat Rogers which earned him a red card during the game.
The victory came after an apology to Irish referee Dave McHugh from President Thabo Mbeki on behalf of the South African people for the assault on him by an irate spectator during the match in Durban between South Africa and New Zealand.
"All of us owe the Irish referee (a) sincere apology for the impermissible assault on him by one of us, Peter van Zyl", Mbeki said. "As South Africans we respect and value our international visitors. We also respect the rules that govern the civilised conduct of individuals and nations."
South Africa were trailing 26-31 when the siren signalled that the match would end the moment the ball went out of play. But the Springboks were awarded a scrum in the Australian 22. They won the ball and outhalf Werner Greeff took a perfectly timed pass to burst through the Australian defence and score near the post.
His try leveled the score at 31-31, with the conversion to follow. Greeff obliged to give South Africa victory.
The match began badly for the home side. After 17 minutes they found themselves behind by nine points, Mathew Burke having slotted three penalty goals.
A brace of tries from Breyton Paulse and a score apiece from Brent Russell and Joe van Niekerk gave the Springboks a 26-9 advantage.
With the title all but lost Australia struck back in the final 15 minutes, with tries from Mat Rogers and Toutai Kefu reducing the deficit to three points.
Joubert was then sent off before a George Gregan drop goal brought the scores level.
Brendon Cannon then crossed in the 78th minute for Australia, but there was time still for South Africa to steal the win.
Meanwhile, van Zyl appeared to have failed to fulfil his promise and attend the match in defiance on a ban prohibiting him from attending matches held under the aegis of the SA union.
SCORERS: South Africa: Tries - Breyton Paulse (2), Brent Russell, Joe van Niekerk, Werner Greeff. Conversions - Greeff (4) Australia: Tries - Mat Rogers, Toutai Kefu, Brendan Cannon. Conversions - Matthew Burke (2). Penalties - Burke (3). Drop goal - George Gregan
SOUTH AFRICA: W Greeff; B Paulse, M Joubert, De Wet Barry, D Hall; B Russell, N de Kock; B Skinstad, J van Niekerk, C Krige (capt); J Labuschagne, AJ Venter; W Meyer, J Dalton, L Sephaka. Replacements used: O le Roux, F Rautenbach, H Scholtz, J Conradie. . Yellow card: De Wet Barry. Red card: M Joubert
AUSTRALIA: C Latham; B Tune, M Burke, D Herbert, S Mortlock; S Larkham, G Gregan (capt); T Kefu, G Smith, O Finegan; J Harrison, N Sharpe; B Darwin, J Paul, B Young. Replacements used: B Cannon, M Cockbain, D Lyons, M Rogers.
Referee: P O'Brien (Nzl)
