Victor Matfield celebrated his 100th Test match in style as the Springboks ended their four match losing streak with a 44-31 win over the Wallabies at Loftus Versfeld in what was a thrilling Tri Nations match.
Australia came out firing as they streaked off to a 14-0 lead after just five minutes, silencing the Pretoria crowd. The Boks bounced back but were later trailing 21-7 in what proved to be a frantic, free flowing Test. Five tries were scored in the first 15 minutes.
The game was finely poised at 28-24 to the Wallabies as they went into the second half, but they only managed another three points, while South Africa scored in the 49th minute through the returning Francois Steyn, and sealed the win later with a JP Pietersen try, their fifth of the match.
It was a much improved display from the Springboks, who ironically defended really well throughout most of the match. The Wallabies looked lethal on attack at times though, especially early on, finding gaps and slipping through a little too easily for the home sides liking.
In the end the match produced nine tries and the South African win meant that the Wallabies still havent won on the Highveld since 1963.
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