Rugby: Late try secures Wallabies' win

The Wallabies celebrate their first win of the 2012 Rugby Championship. Photo / Getty Images

Wallabies prop Ben Alexander scored an inspirational late try to lift Australia to a crucial 26-19 Rugby Championship victory over South Africa in Perth on Saturday night and ease pressure on coach Robbie Deans.

In a highly dramatic passage of play with 11 minutes left at Patersons Stadium and the scores deadlocked at 19-19, Alexander made a 15 metre charge down the blindside as Wallabies captain Will Genia lay strewn in pain in the backplay.

Genia appeared to land awkwardly on his knee after fielding a kick, and hobbled from the field with the assistance of trainers.

But while yet another potentially devastating injury setback was unfolding for an Australian skipper, Alexander was coming up with the match-turning play as TMO confirmed he had touched down in the left-corner.

Berrick Barnes converted from the sideline to clinch the Nelson Mandela Plate and a fifth successive victory for Australia over South Africa.

The Wallabies trailed 13-6 at halftime, after Springboks flyer Bryan Habana crashed over from close range and South Africa were well on top as they gave Australia a masterclass in kicking.

After devastating back-to-back Bledisloe Cup losses to New Zealand, that put Deans' future in a precarious position heading to Perth - Wallabies super-sub Scott Higginbotham broke a 178 minute try-scoring drought when he burst through just two minutes after coming onto the field for No.8 Radike Samo in the second half.

Australia failed to score a point in four consecutive halves of football, but Higginbotham's effort in the 56th minute put the Wallabies in front 16-13 - their first lead of the match.

The Wallabies looked to begin the match with enterprise but fell into the same trap of continuously kicking the ball away.

Springboks fullback Zane Kirchner and five-eighth Morne Steyn punished the Wallabies with a far superior kicking game and put Australia's back-three under pressure with well-placed up and unders.

Long-range specialist Frans Steyn booted two bombs from near the halfway line to put South Africa in a match-winning position, but Australia delivered on their promise of putting in a whole-hearted performance - and showed excellent determination and composure to stay in the match.

Barnes' kicking was questionable in general play, but from the tee he was outstanding and potted six from six.

Lock Sitaleki Timani was named man of the match to continue his outstanding start to the Rugby Championship, as Australia got off the bottom of the ladder with their first win of the tournament.

- AAP