As it happened: Boks v Oz

  SPRINGBOKS 28-8 WALLABIES 

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Commentary by Sport24's Herman Mostert

19:15 - It's a good win for South Africa, but missing that bonus point could prove to be crucial at the end of the Rugby Championship. If New Zealand beat Argentina with a bonus point early on Sunday morning then the Boks would need to beat the All Blacks with a four-try bonus point at Ellis Park next week to win the competition.

There was a bit of a lull early in the second half from South Africa, and I fear Flip van der Merwe's yellow card may have had something to do with it. It gave the Wallabies a bit of breathing space and halted South Africa's first-half momentum. 

19:02 - QUOTES

"I don’t think I’ve ever been so disappointed at beating the Aussies by 20 points. We didn’t play well. There are things we need to improve on. The yellow card made it difficult. Our discipline wasn’t good and we need to improve that. But thanks to the whole of South Africa for the support that we get. We stand a chance (against the All Blacks next week) but we need to put up a better performance in order to win," said Bok skipper Jean de Villiers.

"We have to start keeping 15 players on the park. Maybe the two yellow cards cost us the bonus point in the end," said Naas Botha.

19:04 - WHAT THE FANS SAID

Lineout losses cost the boks the rugby championship. No. Way we gonna make up a full 5 pts against the all blacks - Adrian Kay

Sounds like another great win. Let's hope we get a fair referee for the next AB game - Gavin Bruce Campbell

Mooi so Bokke - Sylvia Trim

Not a wonderful game, Boks went to sleep for 40 minutes, but a win is a win and well done for that - Noel Van Der Bijl

bitter sweet victory..we didnt get the bonus points lets hope argentina can do sa a favour.as for the aussies what a joke this team is,ill disciplined and clearly disrupting sa ball at the breakdown by not rolling away - Tian Nel

Useless bokkies can't even score a bonus try against the useless aussies..... bwah bwah bwah..... it's official the French ref was paid by SARU cheats... disgrace to rugby are these cheats from SA..... - Grant Wright

18:58 - MAN-OF-THE-MATCH

Fourie du Preez was clearly the best player on the park (Gallo Images).

18:51 - Unfortunately Eben Etzebeth is bundled into touch and it's GAME OVER: SA 28-8 Australia. CLICK HERE for a full match report.

18:50 - The Boks launch one last attack close to the Australian 22m line with 30 seconds left...

18:49 - Last-chance-saloon for a bonus point, Boks!

18:49 - Cooper misses the conversion. SA 28-8 Autralia after 78 minutes.

18:48 - TRY! Debutant Chris Feauai-Sautia scores after a brilliant cross-kick from Quade Cooper. The TMO ruled he was on-side.

18:46 - The Wallabies launch an attack from their own line into the Springbok area...

18:43 - YELLOW CARD for Sitaleki Timani for leading with his elbow into a tackle. Another attacking lineout for the Boks with five minutes left. Unfortunately Kruger knocks the ball on... but there's still time left to get that fourth try.

18:41 - Boks upping the ante on attack now. They're back in the Oz 22m area... Willie le Roux running beautiful angles.

18:40 - Steyn misses the conversion as he surprisingly comes up short into a bit of a wind. SA 28-3 Australia after 72 minutes. One more try to get the bonus point!

18:39 - TRY awarded! A brilliant pass from Du Preez set up Le Roux to dive over just before going into touch.

18:38 - Willie le Roux dives over in the corner! But the TMO must decide... Should be a try!

18:35 - The Boks now trying to run it out from deep inside their own half... and they manage to get up field and win a penalty. Attacking lineout drive coming up now...

18:34 - TWEET

Not the cleverest that from Duane. In the red zone - you're always testing the ref when u do that - Brenden Nel

18:32 - YELLOW CARD for Duane Vermeulen for lazy running. Things going awry now for the Boks who can't seem to get their hands on the ball.

18:31 - PICTURE

Referee Jérôme Garcès has his hands full... (Gallo Images)

18:27 - The Springboks seem to lack a bit of structure here in the second half. We're not building enough pressure with ball in hand as the Aussies have certainly upped their physicality.

So far the Boks have only had 35% possession in the second period. That bonus point seems to be slipping away with only 18 minutes left...

18:26 - Newlands erupts as Siya Kolisi comes on to replace Willem Alberts after 60 minutes.

18:25 - Jan Serfontein replaces JJ Engelbrecht with the latter wobbling off with leg injury. Juandré Kruger also on now for Flip van der Merwe.

18:21 - REF BLUNDER

Bryan Habana intercepts a ball and looks certain to score, only to be called back by the referee for a knock on... The referee made a mistake there as he had called advantage over but then disallowed Habana's try! Jean de Villiers queries the decision to no avail...

18:19 - But the Aussies lose the ball after an attempted driving maul... time for SA to get down field and score some tries - still two needed for the bonus point with 26 minutes left. The Boks win a penalty at the ensuing scrum as Steyn kicks down field. Lineout on halfway...

18:18 - Australia receive a penalty inside the Springbok 22m area and opt to kick for touch. Will Genia has made a big difference since he came on at half-time.

18:17 - TWEET

The Wallabies opted to stay on the field throughout the half-time break while a game of junior tag-rugby took place - EWN Sport

18:13 - Bismarck du Plessis is also on now, he replaces Adriaan Strauss, who gets rousing applause from the Newlands faithful... But it's time to fire now with 15 against 15!

18:12 - The Wallabies are dominating the opening 10 minutes of the second half while Van der Merwe is off. But they have failed to notch points as he RETURNS from the sin-bin. 

18:08 - Australian scrum now dominating against the seven-men of South Africa while Van der Merwe is in the bin.

18:05 - An up-and-under from Du Preez is brilliantly caught by Willie le Roux and the Boks launch an attack inside the Oz 22m area, but unfortunately the move end with Kirchner knocking it on...

18:04 - Adriaan Strauss wins a penalty at a ruck on halfway. Steyn doesn't find touch with his kick though...

18:02 - Quade Cooper gets the second half underway...

18:01 - Will Genia has replaced Nic White at scrumhalf for Australia. No changes as yet in the Springbok line-up.

17:59 - PICTURE

Sport24 chief writer Rob Houwing enjoying his view...

17:58 - QUOTE

"Fourie du Preez is without a doubt the best scrumhalf in world rugby right now," says Nick Mallett.

17:54 - It's a healthy lead for the Springboks but it wasn't really a clinical performance yet. We left a few points out there, so if we can cut our error rate and discipline down it could be carnage in the second half. But we are dominating the Australians physically and in all facets. Time to go for the kill now and get that all-important bonus point...

17:57 - FANS ON WHO THE BEST BOK PLAYER IS

Fourie du Preez without a doubt - Eddison Cupido

Ja nee ek se ook Fourie de Preez, bal kom vinnig uit!! - Retha Bester

Ek stem. Fourie du Preez was en is en sal altyd n legendariese skrumskakel bly, ek hoop nie ek weet Bokke gaan 'n bonus punt kry en volgende naweek gaan geskiedenis herhaal word. Bokke gaan All Blacks weer wen net soos in 1995 - Johan

17:53 - TWEET

Strauss has been excellent but one gets the feeling that it's gonna be tickets for Aus when Bismarck comes on and combines with du Preez - @JustSportZA

17:49 - But the Aussies can't make any inroads in the Bok defence and it's HALF-TIME: SA 23-3 Australia

17:48 - YELLOW CARD for Van der Merwe for leading with the elbow. The Boks aren't happy but the right decision was made there! Poor attempt at a tackle by Flip.

17:47 - The TMO is again being called in to review dangerous play... Flip van der Merwe could be in trouble here. He tackled Joe Tomane by going in with his elbow...

17:45 - Hooper now back on after his 10 minutes in the sin-bin. 90 second before half-time.

17:45 - QUOTE

"Fourie du Preez is bringing lovely little touches to the game," says commentator Hugh Bladen.

17:43 - The Wallabies are starting to revert to 'niggle' to unsettle Boks, with Stephen Moore and James Slipper the worst offenders. It's not working though...

17:38 - Newlands erupts as Beast Mtawarira throws a massive dummy to set up another Springbok attack!

17:37 - Steyn kicks an easy PENALTY to stretch the Boks' lead to 20. SA 23-3 Australia after 32 minutes.

17:35 - TWEET

Crap call. Eben jumped into that ... What was he supposed to do? - Front Row Grunt

17:33 - YELLOW CARD for Hooper. The referee decided to make the call himself, maybe Nick Mallett's earlier prediction is coming true... this wasn't the best call by the ref I feel.

17:31 - The TMO is being called up to look for a dangerous tackle on Eben Etzebeth by Michael Hooper. It was a slight tip tackle. 

17:29 - TWEET

Brute size swamping the skittish Wallabies, who've talked a good game but look incapable of delivering one. #SSRugby - Clinton van der Berg

17:28 - FANS HAVING THEIR SAY

Finally - Fourie Du Preez instead of Ruan Pienaar! - Elaine Carver

Fourie du Preez you beauty! Sorely missed! - Steven M. Roskelly

17:26 - Jeepers, but Fourie du Preez has made a big impact on this game so far. His crisp passing game is clearly giving the Boks an extra dimension out wide. Clever player!

17:24 - Halfway through the first half and it's all South Africa here. The Boks are just dominating the Aussies physically, almost bullying them.

17:23 - TWEET

#BoksvAus After Zane Kirchner scored Fourie du Preez sprinted back to his forwards to congratulate them - Jean Smyth

17:21 - But Steyn's boot is deadly as usual. He kicks the PENALTY. SA 20-3 Australia after 19 minutes.

17:20 - Another shot at goal here from Steyn. 45m out. Maybe an attacking lineout would have worked better with us 14 points up?

17:19 - The Springboks are clearly chasing a bonus point win here!

17:18 - Steyn CONVERTS. SA 17-3 Australia after 15 minutes.

17:17 - TRY! Zane Kirchner rounds off after the Boks run the ball from their own 22m area. A brilliant pass from De Villiers put JJ Engelbrecht away who in turn passed to Kirchner who finished brilliantly. Even a great side-step from the Bulls No 15!

17:16 - PICTURE

Adriaan Strauss barges over to score (Gallo Images).

17:16 - CONVERSION by Steyn. SA 10-3 Australia after 13 minutes.

17:15 - TRY! Adriaan Strauss barges over after a dominating maul by the Boks. Super start here!

17:13 - Boks attacking inside the Wallabies 22m area... another penalty conceded by the visitors. Again the Boks opt for an attacking lineout.

17:12 - 600 UP FOR STEYN

That penalty has pushed Steyn up to 601 points in Test rugby in his 50th Test!

17:11 - PENALTY converted by Steyn. SA 3-3 Australia  after eight minutes.

17:10 - The Boks are right back on the attack though and get a penalty when James Horwill is penalised at a ruck. This time sanity prevails and Steyn will line up from about 30m out...

17:08 - PENALTY converted by Leali'ifano. SA 0-3 Australia after six minutes. Should have been the other way round had the Boks opted to kick for goal earlier!

17:07 - Two penalties in a row sees the Wallabies get a chance to opt for goal... Christian Leali'ifano lines up about 20m out...

17:06 - The Boks lose the ball from the attacking lineout and the chance at points is lost. Jean de Villiers should learn to take three points when its on offer, especially early on!

17:05 - The Boks opt to go for touch instead of the three points...

17:05 - First scrum and a first penalty for the Boks. Ominous early signs for the Wallabies...

17:03 - South Africa showing immediate intent by swinging the ball wide, unfortunately a forward pass halts their move. First scrum coming up... 

17:02 - Morné Steyn gets things underway...

17:01 - PICTURE

A picture paints a thousand words (Gallo Images).

17:01 - Heyneke Meyer again the most passionate South African singing the national anthem..

16:59 - Kurt Darren sings "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika".

16:57 - All set for the national anthems now. Katlego Maboe sings "Advance Australia Fair".

16:55 - Jannie du Plessis and Morné Steyn lead the Boks out... both are playing their 50th Test matches. Luckily there's no rain at present.

16:54 - The Wallabies have just appeared onto the Newlands turf. Luckily not too many boos from the Newlands crowd this time round...

16:50 - PICTURE

Shortly before the players appeared onto the field (Sport24 editor Garrin Lambley)

16:50 - I am quite excited to see scrumhalf Fourie du Preez back in the Bok starting team. Ruan Pienaar's service was slow and poor against the All Blacks and Du Preez - who seems rejuvenated since playing in Japan - should add some much needed spark at the back today, which should also be suitable against the Wallabies, who like a fast-tempo game...

16:42 - PICTURE

Beautiful Newlands (Sport24 editor Garrin Lambley)

16:42 - QUOTE

Nick Mallett wants Bok prop Jannie du Plessis to improve his defence. "He missed three crucial tackles against the All Blacks. He is a big defensive weakness for the Boks."

16:36 - BULLS RUN RIOT

With all the attention on the Test match, the Blue Bulls have finally found form in the Currie Cup when they beat Griquas 52-10 in Kimberley a few minutes ago. CLICK HERE for the full match report.

16:32 - PICTURE

Morné Steyn and Ruan Pienaar busy practicing their goal-kicks, 30 minutes before kick-off - (Sport24/koerante/newspapers)

16:29 - PICTURE

This is how our broadcasting partner @SuperSportTV brings you the best of action today! - South African Rugby

16:24 - BOKS TO DOMINATE THE SCRUMS?

An area in which the Boks will try to assert their dominance is at scrum time. South Africa dominated the Wallabies in that department when they won 38-12 in Brisbane a few weeks ago. Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore and James Slipper could be in for a long afternoon...

16:16 - REF TO FAVOUR BOKS?

In-studio SuperSport pundit Nick Mallett believes Frenchman Romain Poite's horror performance when the Boks lost to the All Blacks three weeks ago could count in South Africa's favour today.

Another Frenchman, Jérôme Garcès, will take charge of today's game and Mallett believes he could favour the Boks on 50/50 calls in an attempt to "make up" for his countryman's errors last time round - as is often the way with the French...

16:00 - WHAT THE FANS THINK WILL HAPPEN...

Liza Lucani - Bokke!!!
Johan de Jonge - Hope Wallabies win.
Pieter Rossouw - You don't need to be a scientist to figure this one out.
Vuyolwethu Zenzile - boks 23 9 Austrllia
Mark Denzil Barnard - Boks by 15, with the bonus point. Wallabies will likely be a little steelier this time around, but expect a similar score to the last outing, with perhaps a 3-5 point difference in how much the Boks score.
Steve Haag - BOKS BY 40
Mwanda Mesatywa - boks by 12 to 20 points
Simon Wilhelm - Boks by 12

16:00 - PICTURE

Secret weapon? Late change at hooker? (Gallo Images)

16:00 - MORE STATS AND FACTS

- Jean de Villiers will extend his record as the most-capped Springbok centre, with 76 to date, while Bryan Habana needs one try to equal the tournament record of New Zealand's Christian Cullen who scored 16 tries before retiring.

- The Du Plessis brothers will become the first set of Springbok brothers to both play in 50 Tests for their country and the fifth pair of brothers worldwide. The others are Mauro (94) and Mirco (89) Bergamasco (Italy); Scott (67) and Gavin (67) Hastings (both Scotland and the British & Irish Lions); Massimo (69) and Marcello (54) Cuttitta (Italy) and Robin (62) and Zinzan (58) Brooke (New Zealand).

16:00 - PICTURE

Ok, boys, this is how we're going to beat these Wallabies... (Gallo Images)

16:00 - STATS, STATS AND MORE STATS!

- The Springbok starting team boasts a total of 566 Test caps (334 in the backline and 232 in the forwards), while there a further 229 caps worth of experience on the bench.

- South Africa and Australia have played each other 77 times since 1933, with the Springboks winning 43 Tests, losing 33, and one draw. The Springboks have scored 1 473 points and 176 tries and conceded 1 349 points and 138 tries for an average score of 19-18.

- Morne Steyn currently has 598 career Test points and "should" become only the second Springbok to score more than 600 points in Tests (Percy Montgomery retired with 893 points)

16:00 - BOOKIES SAY BOKS BY 12!

Bookmakers have installed the Boks as 12-points to win at Newlands. Do you agree? More? Less? Let us know!

Read the full article HERE...

16:00 - PICTURE

Calm before the storm (Gallo Images)

16:00 - Q&A WITH TIAAN STRAUSS

In a scoop for Sport24, former Springbok AND Wallaby loose forward Tiaan Strauss answers some key questions and looks ahead to Saturday's Rugby Championship clash between the All Blacks and Springboks in Auckland.

Read the full article HERE...

16:00 - For all the very latest Rugby Championship news, fixtures, results and standings, be sure to visit Sport24.  

16:00 - PICTURE - WISE WORDS!

REFEREE

France's Jérôme Garcès will be the man with the whistle. He will be assisted compatriot Pascal Gauzère and Wales' Nigel Owens as assistant referees, while Graham Hughes (England) will be the TMO.

RECENT RESULTS

2013: South Africa won 38-12 in Brisbane
2012: South Africa won 31-8, Pretoria
2012: Australia won 26-19, Perth
2011: Australia won 11-9, Wellington (Rugby World Cup quarter-final)
2011: Australia won 14-9, Durban
2011: Australia won 39-20, Sydney
2010: Australia won 41-39, Bloemfontein
2010: South Africa won 44-31, Pretoria
2010: Australia won 30-13, Brisbane
2009: Australia won 21-6, Brisbane
2009: South Africa won 32-25, Perth
2009: South Africa won 29-17, Cape Town

TEAMS:

South Africa:

15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Willie le Roux, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Flip van der Merwe, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Tendai Mtawarira

Substitutes: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Gurthrö Steenkamp, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Juandré Kruger, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Jan Serfontein

Australia:

15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Leali'ifano, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Nic White, 8 Ben Mowen, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 James Horwill (captain), 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 James Slipper

Substitutes: 16 Saia Fainga'a, 17 Benn Robinson, 18 Sekope Kepu, 19 Sitaleki Timani, 20 Ben McCalman, 21 Will Genia, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Chris Feauai-Sautia

16:00 - Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has made TWO changes from the side that lost - in controversial fashion - to the All Blacks in Auckland a fortnight ago. Adriaan Strauss replaces Bismarck du Plessis at hooker, while Fourie du Preez starts in the No 9 jersey ahead of Ruan Pienaar. Both Du Plessis and Pienaar have been included on the bench.

16:00 - Welcome to Sport24's LIVE scoring and interactive commentary on today's Rugby Championship match between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town!