Relief for Viljoen as Springboks down the Wallabies

PRETORIA - Springbok coach Harry Viljoen has emerged from a week of intense public criticism as a man vindicated by his team's 20-15 victory over Australia in this morning's Tri-Nations encounter.

Viljoen, who attracted the most criticism for his choice of inexperienced fullback Conrad Jantjes in the place of Percy Montgomery, had his faith repaid with Jantjes earning the man of the match award.

"Conrad Jantjes was superb for his first time in such a significant test," said South African coach Harry Viljoen. "He's a talented player and I'm glad that he came through."

Viljoen's decision to recall Braam van Straaten also had the desired effect. Van Straaten kicked five penalties out of his six shots at goal.

However it was an inspired performance from the forwards that set up the victory as the Springboks bounced back from last week's 12-3 defeat by the All Blacks.

"There was a lot of positives to come out of the game, mostly from our forwards once again," said Viljoen.

"They showed a lot of courage and we knew if we could be in their face we would give them problems. We wanted to put them under pressure in the tight phases and with aggressive defence."

Tighthead prop Cobus Visagie, who spearheaded a highly effective Bok scrum, and captain Bobby Skinstad, who disrupted the lineouts, meant the Wallabies were unable to dominate the tight phases, resulting in a breakdown of their overall play.

In the first half they squandered two tries when, despite having players out wide, they decided to take the ball back in.

The pressure on the visitors was increased by an uncharacteristically poor kicking performance from fullback Matthew Burke.

Burke missed two penalties within the first 15 minutes.

Skinstad scored the only try of the match on the stroke of halftime after a maul formed inside Australia's 22.

Halfback Joost van der Westhuizen then delivered a well-timed pass to Skinstad, who took it at full pace to score his first try since scoring against Spain in the 1999 World Cup.

Australia relied solely on the four penalties by Burke and a penalty by Manuel Edmonds for their points.

After the match, Wallaby coach Eddie Jones denied his team were suffering a hangover from their series win over the British and Irish Lions.

"We started well so I don't think that was a factor," Jones said. "We created a number of opportunities and showed plenty of commitment in the second half, but we struggled to get quick ball at the breakdown, and the defensive side is at a distinct advantage.

"It was a stop start game and it was difficult to get our rhythm, and we let ourselves down with some average execution and with our skills."

Australia play the All Blacks in Dunedin on August 11 in the next match in the competition.

"It's obviously a difficult game for us," Jones said. "New Zealand in Dunedin, they tend to play well there. It just means we have got to play a little bit better."

Wallaby skipper John Eales was not too downcast after the defeat.

"We've got a point out of it with three games to go," he said. "Last year we lost our first Tri-Nations match and we'd like to have gone home with one from one, but there's still a long way to go."

Eales locking partner, David Giffin, was cited after the match for striking Springbok centre Robbie Fleck.

Giffin will appear before a disciplinary committee later tonight (NZT).

- REUTERS