Australia defeat South Africa with late try

Stirling Mortlock converted a late try from replacement back Mat Rogers to hand Australia a 20-18 win over South Africa in the fifth round of the Tri-Nations at Sydney's Olympic Stadium yesterday.

The Springboks were seemingly on the verge of a major upset when Jaque Fourie and Percy Montgomery both crossed to give the visitors an unlikely 18-13 lead with less than five minutes remaining.

But the Australians, who had thrashed South Africa 49-0 in Brisbane just three weeks ago, were reprieved when reserve flanker Phil Waugh split the defence and offloaded for Rogers to score out wide.