International Match: Sat 15th Nov Murrayfield
Last updated: 1st September 2008
Nokwe: Stunning display for Springboks
South Africa bounced back from their Durban disappointment with a 53-8 mauling of Australia at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
Jongi Nokwe became the first man to score four tries in a Tri-Nations fixture as the Springboks gained instant revenge for a 27-15 loss last weekend.
The winger's foursome inspired a rout of the Wallabies, who had hoped to win successive Tests on South African soil for the first time in 45 years.
Instead all they had to show for their efforts was a solitary try scored by full-back Drew Mitchell and a penalty from the boot of Matt Giteau.
While the Wallabies now return home hoping to repair the damage ahead of their title-decider with New Zealand in Brisbane, South Africa can look back on a fine finish to an otherwise disappointing campaign.
Nokwe was undoubtedly the star of the show, scoring a 24-minutes first-half hat-trick before running in a fourth nine minutes after the break.
After Giteau's early penalty had given the Australians the lead towering lock Andries Bekker started the rot by crossing after just nine minutes.
Fourie du Preez's vision to move the ball wide set up Nokwe for his first and the visitors must've known it was not going to be there day when Lote Tuqiri dropped a ball with the line at his mercy.
The demolition of an Australian scrum led to Nowke's second and he grabbed a third before the interval after Schalk Burger had picked up a dreadful line-out throw.
Butch James slotted over his second successful conversion to add to a penalty on the half hour and was on target with the boot to add the extras following a try for Peter Hynes.
Nowke's historical moment came just five minutes later when Odwa Ndungane gifted his opposite wing his fourth of the afternoon, though the speedster was unable to enjoy his magical moment.
Injured in the process of planting the ball down, Nowke left the field on a stretcher to a standing ovation having helped restore some pride for the hosts.
Mitchell's try was no more than a consolation for Australia who conceded again when Ruan Pienaar scored a fine solo effort through a paper-thin defensive line.
Ndungane took the Boks past ther half-century two minutes from time to register their biggest-ever win over their opponents at Coca Cola Park.
At the finish under-fire coach Peter de Villiers could afford to smile having heard his team leave the field just seven days ago to a chorus of boos from the home supporters.
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| South Africa | |
| Saturday 22nd November | |
| International Match | |
| 14:30 | England vs South Africa |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| South Africa | |
| Saturday 15th November | |
| International Match | |
| Scotland 10 - 14 South Africa | |
| Saturday 8th November | |
| International Match | |
| Wales 15 - 20 South Africa | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Zealand | 6 | 19 |
| 2 | Australia | 6 | 14 |
| 3 | South Africa | 6 | 10 |
The Rugby Club caught up with three Springbok superstars ahead of their Twickenham clash.
Martin Johnson told The Rugby Club that England are ready to take their game to the next level.
Dewi Morris says that England have to step up the dynamism and the power to beat South Africa.
Captain Steve Borthwick has no doubt that England will face a physical encounter when South Africa roll into Twickenham on Saturday.
South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has made two changes ahead of Saturday's Test against England at Twickenham.
Schalk Burger admits South Africa are still adapting to the stricter refereeing protocols on their tour of the northern hemisphere.
Northampton Saints have completed the signing of English-qualified hooker Brett Sharman from the Blue Bulls.
South Africa winger Bryan Habana is planning for one last push as the Springboks' season finally draws to a close on Saturday.