South Africa withstood fierce second-half pressure from struggling Australia to win 23-12 Saturday in a tense, scrappy Rugby Championship fifth-round match in Port Elizabeth.
GIANLUIGI GUERCIA / AFP
Victory for the Springboks, who led 20-12 at half-time, moved them within two points of leaders New Zealand, who play Argentina in Buenos later Saturday.
However, it was a disappointing showing from South Africa after a stunning 36-34 triumph over world champions New Zealand in Wellington this month.
Australia suffered a sixth loss in eight Tests this year, adding to the pressure on coach Michael Cheika amid reports that former star George Gregan may join the staff.
There was plenty of effort from the Wallabies, but they could not translate second-half possession into points, even when Springbok Aphiwe Dyantyi was sin-binned.
Both teams scored two tries and it was goal kicking that proved the difference with the Springboks converting all five shots at goal and the Wallabies only one of four.
There was little to choose between the teams during an error-strewn match in which Australia exerted a lot of line-out pressure on South Africa.
"It was a real Test match," said South Africa captain Siya Kolisi. "We started well, then took the foot off the pedal. We need to be patient when we are in our opponents' 22.
"We missed a few tries out there, but are happy to win the game and know there is more to work on. It did not look pretty, but credit to the boys."
Australia skipper Michael Hooper said he was "really proud of our guys" despite a fourth Championship loss in five outings that leaves them bottom of the standings.
"At half-time we were down. We did not have much go our way. We were not getting much possession and South Africa put us under a lot of pressure.
"We needed to capitalise (in the second half) and we could not do that. It was a gritty performance from the South Africans and a disappointing result for us."
