Date: 08 Jul 2000
Venue:
Attendance: 34042
Referee: O'brien p.
World Champions Australia fought back from a 23-17 half-time deficit to beat South Africa 44-23 in the inaugural playing of the Mandela Challenge at the indoor Colonial Stadium in Melbourne, inspired by two tries and five penalties from wing Stirling Mortlock.
South African coach Nick Mallett declared before Saturday night's Mandela Challenge match against Australia in Melbourne that he wanted his side to throw caution to the wind.
Mallett called for enterprising, attacking rugby. Rugby that to many diehards, was the antithesis of Springbok tradition. Play they did and entertain they did. But unfortunately, it wasn't enough as the Australians proved too classy to record their 10th successive win in a compelling 44-23 victory.
The Boks outplayed the world champions in the first 30 minutes. Not only did they show they were eager, they also showed they were keen to impress Mallett in the leadup to the first Tri-Nations encounter against the All Blacks at Christchurch on 22 July.
The Wallabies pushed too many passes and they dropped too much ball, so it didn't surprise when the new-look Boks scored the first try of the match after just 13 minutes.
Halfback Werner Swanepoel, a surprise replacement for the mercurial former captain Joost van der Westhuizen, strolled across after a clever passing interchange with flanker Rassie Erasmus for an 8-3 Springbok lead.
Stirling Mortlock landed his second penalty to bridge the gap to two points, but six minutes later the Wallabies' impatience cost them dearly. Inside centre Rod Kafer threw a gift intercept to Bok winger Breyton Paulse near the South African quarter. The speed machine bolted like a startled rabbit untouched to the other end of the field.
South Africa 15 Australia 6.
The Boks at this stage looked well in command. Cool, calm and collected. But Mortlock's accurate boot kept the world champions in the game and by the half hour mark, the ACT Brumbies' sharpshooter landed his fourth kick for 12-15.
But three minutes later, Paulse struck again. Springbok flyhalf Louis Koen chipped ahead and Mortlock received the ball and lock Albert van den Berg at the same time. Mortlock lost control and the ball spilled backwards for Paulse to collect and scamper across for the simplest of tries and a handy 20-12 advantage.
Australia finally showed they could play when Larkham made a scything break through the Bok defence. Gregan retrieved the ball, sent it wide to Kafer, who flicked it on to Latham. The Queensland fullback flung it wide to Mortlock, who touched down in the corner to bridge the gap to 17-20. Koen landed a penalty in the shadow of half-time for a 23-17 South African lead at the break.
South African rugby history has been one dominated by huge forwards and goal-kicking flyhalves -- a combination that has created a Test record second-to-none. But Springbok coach Nick Mallett wants to change the way rugby is played in the republic and he wants to alter the way South African fans think. He wants to convert them to the virtues of playing an enterprising, vibrant style, one he believes is the way of the future.
Mallett is not aiming at dispensing with a powerful forward pack, only to make sure the backs are involved in the game, as well. But to play such an expansive game, aerobic fitness levels must be first class and unfortunately for the Boks, their lack of oxygen cost them dearly in the second half.
Australia showed just why they're the reigning world champions. And they showed why this could well be the year they finally break through for their first Tri-Nations championship.
They played with composure, patience and ruthless efficiency as the tiring Boks faded into oblivion.
Five minutes into the half, Joe Roff launched an audacious breakout from his own 22 and with Larkham, Daniel Herbert and Mortlock handling, the ball reached replacement Jason Little, who lost forward with the tryline in his sights.
Australia continued to attack, but the Boks' defence held true and the score remained 23-17 until Mortlock goaled in the 69th minute to bridge the gap to just three points.
The inevitable finally happened when in the 70th minute Larkham spotted a gap in the Bok defensive line between forwards Ollie le Roux and Andre Venter to streak through for a fine individual try. Further tries to Toutai Kefu, who showed he was serious about winning his No.8 spot back from Jim Williams when he took the field midway through the second half; Jason Little and Mortlock sealed a clinical victory.
The indoor clash at Melbourne's brand new Colonial Stadium was the first meeting between the two sides since their epic World Cup semifinal at Twickenham last year.
And while the Wallaby gold once again prevailed, the Boks showed tremendous courage and skill to begin a bright new era of attacking rugby. May it continue.
Man of the match
Much has been made of Stephen Larkham's remarkable match-winning dropped goal in last year's World Cup semi at Twickenham, but he showed his full range of skills in the inaugural Mandela Trophy clash. He ran, he passed, he set up his outsides and he varied his play. He even kicked on occasion and surprise, surprise, attempted a droppy, which careered to the left of the uprights. His try had the mark of genius on it, and his ability to break the line almost at will showed that he is going to be a key man in Australia's Tri-Nations campaign.
Moment of the match
There were plenty of worthwhile moments in a match that many deemed would be a fizzer because it was seen as nothing more than a cash-cow. But the players threw caution to the wind and provided one of the best matches in recent memory. Some of the tries were spectacular and it was so good to see the Boks doing their best to emerge from the shadows of their usual dour, one-dimensional style of rugby. May it continue.
Villain of the match
The ARU for expecting people in a non-rugby city to pay up to $130 for a ticket to what was essentially a 'friendly' international. Little wonder there were so many empty seats in a stadium that holds a little over 50 000 fans. Imagine if they had of taged it at the 95 000-capacity MCG?
The scorers
For Australia
Five penalties, two conversions to Stirling Mortlock. Tries to Stirling Mortlock (2), Stephen Larkham, Toutai Kefu, Jason Little.
For South Africa
Tries to Werner Swanepoel, Breyton Paulse (2). Conversion, two penalties to Louis Koen.
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