Match Details

Qantas Wallabies

VS

Springboks

19

Subiaco Oval, Perth Kick off times: 6:00pm (Local) Sat 20 Aug

22

South African flyer Bryan Habana has scored two long range tries as the Springboks held off a courageous Qantas Wallabies outfit 22-19 in a thrilling Tri Nations encounter in Perth.

Habana raced away for a length of the field try in the fourth minute before putting South Africa ahead for good with a 70 metre effort on 66 minutes in front of a ground record 43,278 spectators at Subiaco Oval.

The Wallabies came from 6-14 down at halftime to lead 19-17 with 15 minutes left, but the Springboks took the win to remain undefeated in this year's competition.

South Africa sits on 12 points and can wrap up the series with a win over New Zealand next week at Dunedin.

For Australia, Drew Mitchell again impressed at fullback while Mat Rogers caused the Springboks plenty of problems.

Wallabies skipper George Gregan responded to his critics with a strong game and was proud of his team's effort despite the loss.

"It was another big effort from everyone., There was a lot of courage shown but it was another disappointing end," he told Channel 7.

"We had a very positive mood heading into this match but unfortunately we fell a little bit short."

Already struggling with injuries, the Wallabies suffered a further blow prior to kick off, with Elton Flatley ruled out after experiencing blurred vision during the warm up. Matt Giteau moved to flyhalf, with Clyde Rathbone coming in at outside centre and Morgan Turinui shifting to inside.

The news got worse for the Wallabies soon after the kickoff, with Habana racing down the sideline after Schalk Burger spun the ball wide. Habana got on the outside of the defence and dashed away for to put the visitors on top.

After each side converted a penalty, Springboks winger Breyton Paulse was sin binned for a deliberate offside. With Giteau receiving treatment, Rogers kicked the penalty to reduce the deficit.

The Wallabies couldn't make use of the one man advantage however and Montgomery added two penalties to make it 14-6 at the break.

Rogers booted a penalty early in the second half but Montgomery's 45m drop goal restored South Africa's eight point advantage.

Australia was finally rewarded for some sustained pressure on 52 minutes, Turinui bursting through an Andre Pretorius tackle on halfway before sending Rathbone in for a converted try.

A Rogers penalty just after the hour mark put Australia ahead for the first time and the Wallabies looked set to wrap up the game as the Springboks tired but again Habana struck. Camped inside the South African 22, Australia turned the ball over and the Springboks took advantage, spinning the ball wide to Habana and the winger did the rest, racing away for his second try.

The Wallabies desperately searched for a try in the closing stages but were unable to stop the Springboks recording their first win against Australia on Australian soil since 1998.