Australia thrash South Africa 49-0 in Tri-Nations

South Africa's Jaque Fourie (L) fends off Australia's Sean Hardman. Picture / Reuters

Australia 49 South Africa 0

BRISBANE - Australia recorded their biggest win over South Africa in 85 years with a 49-0 demolition in the second round of the Tri-Nations at Lang Park on Saturday.

The Wallabies rebounded from last week's 32-12 loss to New Zealand to produce their best performance of the season, scoring six unanswered tries to chalk up their highest total and biggest winning margin against the Springboks since the teams first played each other in 1921.

Prop Greg Holmes and hooker Jeremy Paul both scored tries in the first half as the Australian forwards responded to the criticism of their dismal showing against the All Blacks with a powerful display against the big South African pack.

The Wallaby backs showed again why they are regarded as one of the best attacking units in the world with another slick demonstration of high-speed running and skilful passing and kicking.

Inside centre Matt Giteau crossed twice while fullback Chris Latham and replacement lock Mark Chisholm scored once each but the Australians might have scored more had they held on to the ball better in the slippery conditions.

Several clear chances went begging and replacement halfback Sam Cordingley and lock Nathan Sharpe were both held up over the line by desperate South African defence.

First five-eighths Stephen Larkham was at his brilliant best, opening the scoring with a long-range drop goal in the third minute and gliding past three defenders to set up his team's second try, while Stirling Mortlock kicked 16 points and provided the South African defenders with plenty of headaches with his strong running.

The Springboks failed to deliver on their promise to dominate the Australian forwards and were badly let down by their own discipline, with lock Victor Matfield earning a 10-minute stint in the sin-bin for a professional foul in the first half.

They offered little in attack and missed too many first up tackles in defence, allowing the Australians to keep them pinned in their own quarter and get within a whisker of South Africa's worst ever defeat, a 53-3 loss to England in 2002.

- REUTERS