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South Africa end their campaign on a high note

Tri Nations/ South Africa 24 Australia 16: Australia's woeful away record in the Tri-Nations continued in Johannesburg on Saturday…

Mon Sept 11 2006 - 01:00

Tri Nations/ South Africa 24 Australia 16: Australia's woeful away record in the Tri-Nations continued in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Both sides made numerous errors, but cool finishing by replacement wing Breyton Paulse gave the Springboks a second try and they shut out Australia for the last eight minutes.

"We created enough opportunities, but we're really disappointed with our execution," Australia coach John Connolly said.

"We just didn't gel, we became anxious and we probably became a bit flat in the backs."

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It was South Africa's second win after four losses in the Tri-Nations, which New Zealand won with two games to spare.

"When you consider where this team was a month ago, to win two consecutive games, and today against the most-capped back line in the history of the game, is amazing," South Africa coach Jake White said.

"Everyone put their weight behind the effort today and the team has learnt a lot of things these last two weeks."

Australia dictated the early exchanges and got their first points on 17 minutes from the boot of centre Stirling Mortlock.

Outhalf Andre Pretorius slotted a penalty before the break and gave South Africa the lead early in the second half with a penalty. But then Wallaby captain George Gregan set up a break that led to a try for outhalf Stephen Larkham.

Pretorius pegged the lead back to 10-9 with a penalty and added a drop goal before Australia were penalised and scrumhalf Fourie Du Preez tapped and ran before bursting through several defenders to score.

Mortlock kicked two penalties but JP Pietersen, on his debut at fullback, sparked an attack and the ball was spread to Paulse, who drew a defender before stretching over the tryline in the tackle.

Scorers: South Africa: Tries: F Du Preez (56), B Paulse (73). Conversion: A Pretorius (56). Penalty goals: Pretorius (37, 41, 43). Drop goal: Pretorius (53). Australia: Try: S Larkham (44). Conversion: S Mortlock (45). Penalty goals: Mortlock (17, 59, 62). Half-time: 3-3.

SOUTH AFRICA: Pietersen; Ndungane, Fourie, de Villiers, Olivier; Pretorius, du Preez; du Randt, Smit, Botha; Muller, Matfield; Spies, Venter, Wannenberg. Replacements: Ralepelle, Sephaka, van den Berg, Cronje, Pienaar, James, Paulse.

AUSTRALIA: Latham; Rathbone, Mortlock, Giteau, Shepherd; Larkham, Gregan; Robinson, Paul, Blake; Vickerman, Sharpe; Elsom, Waugh, Palu. Replacements: McIsaac, Baxter, Chisholm, Smith, Sheehan, Gerrard, Staniforth.

Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand).