Tuqiri celebrates

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Australia blew the Tri-Nations wide open with a thrilling 16-9 victory over South Africa in Perth on Saturday.

The Wallabies' win means all three teams have one success apiece from the first three games, although the Springboks and New Zealand lead the table on five points courtesy of losing bonus points.

But this titanic battle was all about winning and it was the underdogs who out-scored the World Cup winners with a couple of tries either side of half-time, as South Africa failed to take advantage of some good opportunities - the Aussies having the inspired Rocky Elsom to thank for leading the defence at the breakdown.

Winger Lote Tuqiri was the first to cross and send Australia into the break with a 5-3 advantage, while Stirling Mortlock's effort five minutes after the restart gave the hosts the breathing space they needed to take home the win.

The Boks dominated much of the first half but only had Francois Steyn's sixth minute penalty to show for their efforts, the blond-haired centre missing a speculative drop goal and a 21st minute penalty attempt.

But Tuqiri's try against the run of play five minutes before half time changed the course of the match - the creative Peter Hynes breaking through before Nathan Sharpe and Matt Giteau combined to put him over in the corner.

And skipper Mortlock hit South Africa with a double whammy early in the second half, shaking off two tacklers to cross near the corner flag, and although Giteau missed his second conversion attempt a 51st minute penalty gave the Wallabies a 13-3 lead.

Mortlock left the field shortly after with mild concussion and after the Aussies gave away a penalty in the scrum, Butch James narrowed the deficit from in front of the posts.

Steyn added another penalty with 11 minutes left to set up a pulsating finale, with both teams running the ball from deep inside their 22 in an attempt to set their seal on the match.

It was left to Berrick Barnes to clinch the win for the hosts, hoisting a drop goal through the sticks under severe pressure in the final minute to finally see off the South Africans.

The victory means coach Robbie Deans maintains a perfect four-from-four record since taking over in charge, while defeat means another re-think for oposite number Peter de Villiers.