The Springboks came from behind to record their first win of the Tri-Nations at Loftus against the Wallabies in a humdinger of a game.

A late try by JP Pietersen made sure of a 44-31 Bok victory in high scoring game where no less than nine tries were scored.

The first half was started by the Wallabies in true fashion, by running wide. Will Genia scored the first and James O`Connor their second after a Habana error. Score 14-0. It looked like another Bok-loss until Juan Smith scored a minute later to take the score to 14-7. But the Wallabies weren’t finished with their running as Kurtley Beale broke a Matfield tackle to set up O`Connor with his second of the Test.

With the score 21-7 the Boks got a bit better ball and started to play their own game. Gurthro Steenkamp bashed his way over and Morne Steyn added the conversion along with a massive 58m penalty to take the score to 21-17.

Again the Boks defense slipped and Dean Mumm went over to make it 28-17. Six minutes from half time, the Boks play managed to string together their best passage with Francois Hougaard offloading to Pierre Spies to keep the Boks in touch at 28-24.

The second half was much more subdued with both teams concentrating a bit more on defense. The kickers exchanged penalties after the break to make it 31-27 before Frans Steyn scored a try trough sheer pressure by the Boks. The Boks were in the lead for the first time.

Towards the end the Wallabies launched attack after attack but the Boks defense held. Bok scrumhalf Hougaard produced a great cover tackle to prevent Adam Ashley-Cooper from scoring certain try, and one that may well have settled the match in Australia’s favour.

Eventually the Boks got possession, worked their way up the field until Pietersen crossed the line for the final result.

South Africa
Tries: Juan Smith, Gurthro Steenkamp, Pierre Spies, Frans Steyn and JP Pietersen
Conversions: Morne Steyn 4 and Butch James
Penalties: Morne Steyn and Frans Steyn

Australia
Tries: Will Genia, James O’Connor 2 and Dean Mumm
Conversions: Matt Giteau 4
Penalty: Matt Giteau