Tri-Nations/Australia 20 South Africa 18: Stirling Mortlock converted a late try from replacement back Mat Rogers to hand Australia a 20-18 win over South Africa in the fifth round of the Tri-Nations at the Olympic stadium on Saturday.

The Springboks were seemingly on the verge of a major upset when Jaque Fourie and Percy Montgomery both scored second half tries tries to give the visitors an 18-13 lead with less than five minutes remaining.

But the Australians, who had beaten South Africa 49-0 in Brisbane just three weeks ago, were reprieved when Phil Waugh split the defence and offloaded to Rogers who scored out wide and left Mortlock with the sideline conversion.

The Wallabies led 10-0 at halftime after an opportunist try from wing Mark Gerrard but lost their way as their scrum and lineout began to fall apart.