Elsom's Wallabies leave Boks on rocks
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Australia won an extraordinary Tri-Nations match in Bloemfontein yesterday. The Wallabies, who beat South Africa 41-39, scored five tries to three, gained revenge for last week's 44-31 defeat in Pretoria and secured second place in the tournament table. They will play New Zealand, the runaway winners, in the final match in Sydney next Saturday.
Robbie Deans's Wallabies had collected a try-scoring bonus point by the end of the first half at the Free State Stadium after Kurtley Beale, James O'Connor, Stephen Moore and the captain, Rocky Elsom, crossed the Springbok line to establish a 31-13 lead. The centre Jaque Fourie scored for South Africa just before the break.
After it, the reigning world and Tri-Nations champions fought their way back into the match. The prop Gurthro Steenkamp and centre Jean de Villiers scored tries and the fly-half Morne Steyn kicked every goal available to him to make it 36-31 to the home side. That became 38-36 to Australia after Drew Mitchell scored his side's fifth try; Steyn kicked his sixth penalty (in a total of 24 points) for 39-38 to South Africa; and finally Beale kicked a penalty to win the match for the Wallabies.
The South Africa head coach, Peter de Villiers, was already under pressure after a poor season and comments about the Bulls prop Bees Roux, who has been charged with murder.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments