skip to main content

Springboks beat Australia in Tri-Nations

South African winger Bryan Habana proved the match-winner against Australia
South African winger Bryan Habana proved the match-winner against Australia

South Africa secured their first away win in the Tri-Nations since 1998 with a 22-19 victory over Australia in Perth on Saturday evening.

Flying Springbok winger Bryan Habana scored two tries, one in each half, to prove the difference between the two teams.

South Africa-born Clyde Rathbone scored the Wallabies' only try 11 minutes into the second half which Mat Rogers converted.

Rogers also landed three penalties with Matt Giteau kicking a 14th-minute penalty but their efforts were not enough to stop the Springboks, whose last Test win over Australia in Perth was a 14-13 victory in 1998.

In 60 Tests between the two countries, South Africa have now won 38 times, with one draw - the 14-14 tie in Perth in 2001.

South Africa full-back Percy Montgomery was the match's leading points scorer with three first-half penalties and a 50th-minute drop goal. The Springboks led
14-6 at half-time.

South Africa top the Tri-Nations standings with a perfect 12 points from three games. Australia prop up the table with two points, while New Zealand have five points from two games.

Read Next