South Africa's wonderful year ended in disappointment on Saturday as the world champions were humbled 22-5 by Barbarians in a hugely entertaining non-cap game at Twickenham.
The Springboks, featuring just five of the side who won the World Cup final six weeks ago, were never able to find the form that swept them past Wales last week as the famous invitational team cut loose from the start, much to the delight of the near-60,000 crowd.
Counter-attacking tries by Wallaby flyhalf Matt Giteau and Wales flanker Martyn Williams gave them a 15-5 halftime lead, with Barend Pieterse squeezing over in a rare Springbok attack.
Australia flanker Rocky Elsom stretched that to 22-5 within two minutes of the restart and the Barbarians then showed they could defend too as they held off sustained South African pressure to secure a hugely satisfying victory for the team fighting for their place in rugby's crowded calendar.
Meanwhile, Jason Robinson savoured the perfect ending to his career as he bowed out of competitive rugby with this victory over the world champions.
Robinson, the most successful cross-code player of all time, made his 538th appearance with his 17-year professional career ending in fitting style.
Several trademark jinking runs were greeted with rapturous applause by the capacity Twickenham crowd and Robinson admitted it was an emotional farewell.
He said: ‘It was a great atmosphere today and I thought it was a fantastic match. The crowd were great.
‘They will go home happy and I'll go home happy too. It was a great way to finish.
‘I've had a wonderful career and I've gone from one good thing to another. Now I've finished on a high.
‘We won the last game I've played in and I'll take some wonderful memories away with me.
‘If I could have written a script it wouldn't have been as good as this. It's been fantastic.’
Robinson shared a joke with Barbarians team-mate and former Wallaby second row Justin Harrison when he was substituted in the 68th minute.
The exchange came as a result of an incident that occurred shortly before the teams ran on to the pitch.
Robinson said: ‘Justin started being sick in the changing rooms. When I see someone being sick I have to be sick, so I was.
‘Just before we left the changing room the same thing happened - Justin was sick again and then I was too.
‘I was praying it wouldn't be like that when we got onto the pitch. We were laughing about that when I came off.’
Ireland boss Eddie O'Sullivan, who was in charge of the invitational side, said: ‘All credit to the boys. We talked in the week about the Barbarians ethos, but we played both types of the football.’
South Africa coach Jake White, overseeing his last match in charge of the world champions, saluted Robinson.
‘Jason has been one of the great players in both codes and it was good to see the emotional send-off he got.
‘The atmosphere reflected his achievements and he deserves the accolades.’
