Flyhalf Morne Steyn once again kicked South Africa to victory as they beat Australia 29-17 in their Tri-Nations test at Newlands yesterday.

Steyn kept the scoreboard ticking over for the Springboks with seven penalties and a drop goal.

Australia scored first through full-back Adam Ashley-Cooper in the second minute, but South Africa dominated the second quarter to lead 23-10 at the break.

The Wallabies scored the only try of the second half, a fine individual effort by flyhalf Matt Giteau but they suffered through indiscipline.

Apart from the numerous penalties Australia conceded, referee Alain Rolland was forced to show a yellow card to Giteau and flank Richard Brown in the closing stages of the first half.

Loose forward George Smith was also yellow-carded, in the 79th minute, with the Australians desperately defending their line.

Lock Victor Matfield scored South Africa's only try after a neat grubber through by tighthead prop John Smit.

Steyn had scored a Tri-Nations record 31 points as the Springboks beat New Zealand 31-19 in Durban last weekend.

The world champions also beat the All Blacks 28-19 in Bloemfontein last month and have now completed an unbeaten home leg of the competition ahead of matches in Perth, Brisbane and Hamilton.