Australia go down to Springboks at Ellis Park again

South Africa and Australia met in Johannesburg, Ellis Park for the last Tri-nations match of 2006. From the 2nd minute the Wallabies game plan was clear. Lots of high ball to the rookie J.P. Pietersen.

The Wallabies missed an early chance to take the lead with a penalty in the 7th minute but they kept up the pressure and nearly scored a try in the 11th minute with a chip through and the ball was chased up by Rocky Elsom. The Springbok defence got their first and the try was saved.

Matt Giteau nearly scored the first try of the day but was called back. Continued Wallaby pressure paid off and in the 17th minute Australia were given a penalty and this time Mortlock slotted the ball between the posts.

Not long after Andre Pretorius missed a chance to draw the scores level when he unusually missed a penalty kick. His first half kicking form was very worrying for the Boks.

The Springboks looked to be away for a try in the 24th minute but referee Steve Walsh blew a penalty just inches from the Australian line.

Then with 10 minutes left on the clock Andre Pretorius missed another shot at goal in his home stadium.

Cameron Shepherd had a 66m shot at goal just before half time but missed. Just before half time Andre Pretorius then drew the sides level.

South Africa had a dream start in the 2nd half as Andre Pretorius put the Springboks ahead at 6-3 with a penalty.

It wasn’t long before the dream became troubled when just two minutes later the Wallabies scored a relatively easy try and Stephen Larkham went over for the first try of the match. Mortlock converted the try.

Andre Pretorius must have found his kicking boots in the change rooms at half time because he went on to kick another penalty in the second half and chanced his luck with a drop goal with 27 minutes to go with a drop goal.

As they did last week against the All Blacks the Springboks came to life in the second half and Fourie du Preez scored the boks first try of the match and Pretorius converted.

The Wallabies were given a chance to go for the try but with 25 minutes left on the clock Mortlock stepped up and added three points from a fairly easy penalty. It was probably the right decision for them as only a few minutes later ref Steve Walsh awarded them another penalty which Mortlock again kicked allowing the Wallabies to chip away at the Springboks lead.

The Springboks missed out from scoring another try 13 minutes from time but John Smit knocked on just metres from the line so the score was still locked at 19 -16 to the home team.

The Springboks who were determined not to lose another match at home created some good quick ball for Breyton Paulse on the wing and he dived and then rolled over to score the Boks second try.

Pretorius then missed the conversion and the scores was 24 -16 which it stayed at until the final whistle.

The Wallabies last win at Ellis Park came back in 1963 and they will have to wait at least another year before they can break their Ellis park jinx. They have also not won a Tri-Nations match away win in over five years.

The Wallabies may have improved since last year but their away win record still needs a lot of attention if they are to get anywhere next year at the Rugby World cup.

Scorers

South Africa 24 (3)

Penalties – Pretorius 3 ,Tries – du Preez 1, Paulse 1,Conversions – Pretorius 1, Drop Goals – Pretorius 1

Australia 16 (3)

Tries – Larkham 1,Conversions – Mortlock 1,Penalties – 3 Mortlock

Teams

South Africa:

JP Pietersen, Ndungane, Fourie, De Villiers, Olivier, Pretorius, Du Preez, Os du Randt, Smit (capt), BJ Botha, Muller, Matfield, Spies, AJ Venter, Wannenburg.
Reserves: Ralepelle, Sephaka, Van den Berg, Cronje, Pienaar, James, Paulse.

Wallabies:

Benn Robinson , Jeremy Paul , Rodney Blake , Nathan Sharpe ,Dan Vickerman (vc) , Rocky Elsom , Phil Waugh , Wycliff Palu ,George Gregan (c) , Stephen Larkham , Cameron Shepherd ,Matt Giteau , Stirling Mortlock , Clyde Rathbone , Chris Latham Reserves : Tai McIsaac , Al Baxter ,Mark Chisholm , George Smith ,Brett Sheehan ,Mark Gerrard , Scott Staniforth.