Boks eke out win over Marshall's World XV

South Africa 30 World XV 27

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa, outscored by two tries to none, eked out a 30-27 win over a World XV in their unofficial international overnight.

The Springboks, without several first-choice players, were largely unimpressive against a star-studded invitation side in a match dominated by the whistle of referee Tappe Henning, officiating in his final international.

The vastly experienced World XV showed more intelligence and cohesion than the home side, who had to rely on nine penalties by fullback Percy Montgomery and one by wing Gaffie du Toit for their victory.

The Springboks dominated possession and territory, but made numerous mistakes in a disappointing first outing of the season and were rarely able to make meaningful inroads against their streetwise opponents.

After World XV fullback Matt Burke and Montgomery had traded early penalties, the visitors showed they were up for the challenge by taking an 8-3 lead courtesy of a try by captain Justin Marshall, who darted over from a lineout close to the line.

Montgomery narrowed the gap to 6-8 with his second penalty, but World XV first five-eighths Carlos Spencer then caught the Springbok defence in disarray with a neat chip kick and Burke converted the ensuing penalty.

The Springboks eventually took the lead for the first time two minutes before halftime when Montgomery's fourth penalty put them 12-11 ahead. South Africa captain Jean de Villiers, in his first match in charge, then asked Du Toit to kick a long-range penalty from his own half when the hosts earned another penalty after the hooter.

There was a nightmare start to the second half for the Springboks when flank AJ Venter was yellow-carded for punching.

A minute later Montgomery hesitated in fielding a probing kick into space by Spencer for wing Isa Nacewa to gather and beat the fullback's feeble tackle for the World XV's second try and an 18-15 lead.

A Montgomery penalty seven minutes later drew the Springboks level again and the World XV's disagreements with referee Henning led to further penalties in the 15th and 17th minutes.

Burke then kicked penalties in the 18th and 24th minutes for the World XV to equalise and the two fullbacks traded another set of penalties before Montgomery had the last say with a simple kick two minutes from time when the opposition were caught offsides.

Springbok coach Jake White employed his whole bench, save for innovative utility back Brent Russell, in an attempt to inject some spark, but the South Africans will know they have a lot of work to do before facing Scotland next Saturday in Durban.

World XV coach Bob Dwyer said the return of key players, including both locks, would make a lot of difference to the Springboks.

"The Springboks weren't special today, but they were okay, it was a good hit-out for them. New Zealand won't be quaking in their boots though, and Australia will know the Boks will get better but will feel they have a breath of hope," he said.

South Africa coach Jake White said he was not happy with the performance but added he was trying to develop players for next year's World Cup.

"We are trying to develop players so we have a Plan B if need be for the World Cup and we need to show a bit of faith in them. The most disappointing part of the game was that we never got going," he said.

- REUTERS