Wallabies tagged by Steyn
From James Whitmore in Cape Town, South Africa
June 17, 2007
AUSTRALIA suffered heartbreak in Cape Town this morning, the Wallabies denied their first victory in South Africa since 2000 by two drop goals in the final six minutes.
Replacement back Francois Steyn landed the two drop goals to give the Springboks a nail-biting 22-19 win in the Tri-Nations series opener at Newlands.
Australia led 19-10 after 44 minutes, but the Springboks rallied to score 12 unanswered points to ensure a winning start to the competition.
Sharks back Steyn, who replaced wing Ashwin Willemse with 20 minutes to play, first succeeded with a difficult 50-metre effort after 74 minute to level the scores at 19-all.
He landed the hammer blow four minutes later, this time from in front of the uprights.
The result extended to seven matches Australia's losing streak in the Republic. Australia has not won in South Africa since defeating the Springboks 19-18 at King's Park, Durban, in 2000.
"It was a very close affair throughout the afternoon," South Africa captain John Smit said.
"But thanks to our replacements, who made a massive difference when they came on, we were fortunate to sneak it at the end.
"Those fresh legs brought a positive influence to the team when they got on to the field, and I think we showed great character there at the end."
Smit, who left the field early with a suspected hamstring injury, had to watch the drama unfold from the sidelines.
He said the Boks' performance was one of the better efforts he'd been part of for some time.
"I think it was some of the best rugby we've played," he said.
"We created good opportunities and dominated for long periods, but just couldn't convert those chances.
"We had to really grind it out, and the way we did it was very special."
Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock was obviously disappointed at losing the game, especially considering that his side was three points up with just six minutes left to play.
"We gave it our all and I thought we showed a lot of courage out there," he said.
"I was particularly happy with our defence and the character we showed throughout the contest."
The match certainly provided a thrilling start to the 2007 series, with the Wallabies, derided by many pundits as no-hopers before kick off, playing a major role.
Mortlock and his troops defended like Trojans and stifled a number of good attacking moves by South Africa to enjoy a surprising 16-10 lead at the break.
The Boks started the match superbly, with their forwards asking plenty of the Australia pack, but the score was 3-3 after 10 minutes, through penalties from South Africa full back Percy Montgomery and Mortlock.
South Africa lost Smit in the 11th minute before scoring its only try through centre Jaque Fourie.
The Sprinboks then failed to convert numerous chances while enjoying the lion's share of possession, and the Wallabies made them pay for their profligacy.
The visitors found their rhythm after half an hour and, after taking the ball through a number of phases, won a penalty that Mortlock converted.
Centre Matt Giteau then scored a fine converted try next to the uprights, taking an offload from hooker Stephen Moore, that put his side in front for the first time.
Mortlock landed another penalty goal to give Australia its six-point edge at the break.
Australia quickly stretched that lead to nine points, with Mortlock's fourth penalty, but a rejuvenated Bok outfit struck back through Montgomery, who kicked two penalty goals, before Steyn made his dramatic late intervention.
Agence France-Presse
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21919706-23217,00.html
