Rugby – Handre Pollard put in a commanding performance at flyhalf as a more pragmatic South Africa beat Australia 30-22 in their second Rugby Championship test under rain in Cape Town yesterday to reignite the defence of their title.
Australia had stunned the world champion Springboks 38-22 in their competition opener in Johannesburg the previous weekend as the hosts tried to play an expansive game-plan with ball in hand and were picked off.
This time round they turned it into an aerial contest, marshalled superbly by Pollard, who kicked 15 points to go with tries by wing Canan Moodie, number eight Kwagga Smith and lock Eben Etzebeth.
Australia were in the fight all the way and put in another excellent display as they scored three tries through wings Corey Toole and Max Jorgensen, and hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa, but a good old-fashioned arm-wrestle is the Springboks’ forte.
Australia might rue the bounce of the ball that did not go their way at times, but it was another performance full of character and fight.
Australia lost fullback Tom Wright and scrumhalf Nic White to injury in the first 13 minutes, and centre Joseph Suaalii at halftime, but their bench again came up trumps again to keep them within touching distance of the Springboks.
A try for Toole on debut briefly had Australia in front early on, but South Africa led 20-10 at the break despite the visitors seeing plenty of possession. Australia had the chance to take the lead with 12 minutes remaining but flyhalf James O’Connor missed a relatively simple conversion.
With the game in the balance, Etzebeth’s stretch close to the line extended South Africa’s lead to eight points and they held on for what was a much-needed victory following their second half capitulation in Johannesburg.
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