Rugby: Mallett thrown lifeline by Springbok win

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa ended a four-match losing run by beating New Zealand 46-40 in the Tri-Nations on Saturday, at the same time throwing a lifeline to under-fire coach Nick Mallett.

The Ellis Park test had been billed as make-or-break for Mallett, and his charges responded with six tries and the most points ever scored against an All Black side.

Australia, however, will win the tournament if they beat South Africa in the final match in Durban next weekend.

The Springboks, beaten in their previous two games in the tournament, have struggled to adjust to the expansive game plan introduced by their coach since last year's World Cup.

But in the seventh minute wing Chester Williams, starting his first test since 1995, shrugged off Christian Cullen to score the Springboks' first try in three hours and 40 minutes of rugby.

Mallett said his team had suffered "some bloody virulent criticism" recently, adding: "Surely people must now accept that this is a team of players that play for each other and who believe in their coaching and management team.

"It's a very satisfying win, and to score six tries against the All Blacks is incredible. But we must give the credit to the players and recognise how wrong people were if they thought there were any rifts in this team."

South Africa went on to score four more tries in the first half.

A previously out-of-form Robbie Fleck, recalled to the Springbok team at the last minute because of an injury to centre De Wet Barry, took advantage with two of them.

An opportunistic try by scrumhalf Werner Swanepoel, set up by Fleck, and another by fullback Thinus Delport left the All Blacks reeling in front of a fiercely partisan home crowd of 57,200.

But the visitors clawed their way back with two tries by wing Tana Umaga and a third by fullback Cullen.

The try was Cullen's 40th in international rugby, eclipsing Jeff Wilson's national record of 39.

Cullen touched down again in the second half before flyhalf Andrew Mehrtens, who kicked 20 points in all, put his side into a 37-36 lead with a penalty 29 minutes from the end.

With the match still being played at a frantic pace, flyhalf Braam van Straaten reinstated the home side's lead with a penalty only for Mehrtens to respond with a drop-goal.

South Africa clinched victory with a try in the 66th minute via Swanepoel's second try.

All Black coach Wayne Smith singled out poor defence as the main reason for the defeat.

"In the first 30 minutes we gave away some soft tries, and even when it counted at the end, we gave away another one which isn't like the All Blacks.

"It's really frustrating. We put a lot of work in and the perception is that we've come a long way, but it's disappointing to end the Tri-Nations like this."

- REUTERS