Wallabies grab thrilling victory over Springboks

A long-range penalty goal by fullback Kurtley Beale with the last kick of the match enabled Australia to defeat South Africa 41-39 in a thrilling southern hemisphere Tri Nations match in Bloem­fontein, yesterday.

The Wallabies scored four tries in the space of 17 minutes in the first half, spreading the ball wide with quick passes which enabled their pacey outside backs to rip open the Springbok defence.

They led 31-6 shortly before half-time but the Springboks came storming back to go ahead 36-31 with 11 minutes left.

The lead changed three times in a frantic finish before Beale, with his only kick at goal in the match, calmly booted the ball over from near the right touchline, just inside the South African half.

The win ensured that Australia would finish in second place with world champions South Africa condemned to finish last in a tournament they won in 2009.

New Zealand, who have already clinched the title, meet Australia in Sydney next Saturday in the final match of the tournament.

South Africa fielded a starting line-up which had a total of 750 caps, their most experienced team in history, but a year out from the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand they have much about which to be concerned.

In particular, the outstanding defence which took South Africa to victory in the 2007 World Cup in France took a battering in the Tri Nations, with 22 tries conceded in six matches, including 12 in their three home matches.