Rugby: Springbok blitz blows Wallabies off the park

Adriaan Strauss of the Springboks celebrates after scoring a try during the match between South Africa and Australia at DHL Newlands. Photo / Getty Images

South Africa 28
Australia 8

The Wallabies proved little more than a speed-hump for South Africa who are on their way to a Rugby Championship decider against New Zealand after a one-sided 28-8 victory.

Pre-game, Springbok fans were much more interested in the clash between the big guns next weekend at Ellis Park and with good reason, as their team had victory in the bag against Australia after only 19 minutes.

The Springboks delivered a crushing 38-12 victory in Brisbane this month and they proved that was no fluke with a first-half blitz that blew the Wallabies off the park. By that stage they had hit a 20-3 lead and despite Australia steadying in the second half at Newlands Stadium following the insertion of halfback Will Genia, they weren't able to score a try until the 78th minute through debutant Chris Feauai-Sautia.

Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie conceded his team were way off the mark.

Australia have managed only one win in the tournament - against Argentina, who they play next Sunday in Rosario - and only one try compared to South Africa's seven in their two games.

McKenzie lamented poor decision-making as his team failed to adapt to the rampant Springboks and referee, Frenchman Jerome Garces, who handed out two yellow cards to each team.

The Wallabies missed 31 tackles, had 26 turnovers and 10 handling errors which made it near impossible to build any pressure on their opponents. McKenzie didn't have an answer for those telling statistics but said he couldn't fault his team's character and effort. "It's very frustrating at the moment but all we can do is keep plugging away and the wheel will turn."

- AAP