Wallabies stop the rot

Australia ended a six-match losing streak in the Tri-Nations with a 21-6 triumph over South Africa to keep the tournament alive.

South Africa went into Saturday's match unbeaten in the competition this season and knowing a bonus point would have clinched them the title.

But, in the end, all they could only manage were two Morne Steyn kicks in what was a laboured performance by their usually high standards.

Tries for Adam Ashley-Cooper (63) and James O'Connor (76) and 11 points from the boot of Matt Giteau helped the Wallabies finish the campaign on a high, with their first win of the tournament.

Losing streak

The world champions, meanwhile, extending a losing streak in Brisbane that dates back all the way to 1971.

The hosts showed good attacking intent from the off, only to twice be denied tries by superb tackles by Bryan Habana.

First the Springbok winger pushed Lachie Turner into the corner flag and he then pulled down Giteau after the Wallabies fly-half sliced through the midfield and advanced towards the try line.

The visitors came closest to scoring when Jean de Villiers burst through a gap outside Giteau, but he passed infield to centre partner Jaque Fourie, who was dragged down two metres out and then stripped of possession.

The first half failed to yield a try from either team, with the hosts going in at the break 9-6 up thanks to the boot of Giteau.

The Aussies saw a second try disallowed by the video referee after half-time when Will Genia took a quick tap from 10 metres out only to have the ball stripped by Fourie du Preez as he went to touch down.

Giteau also saw an effort chalked off after snatching Adi Jacobs' risky pass deep inside the Springboks territory and burrowing into the right corner. The video referee ruled that he had just put a foot into touch before diving over.

Flat pass

But there was no doubt about the game's opening try when Ashley-Cooper ran onto a flat pass from Berrick Barnes to finally make the breakthrough on the hour mark.

Giteau duly converted and the hosts had a 10-point cushion. The result was not assured, however, until four minutes from time.

Teenage full-back O'Connor scored an opportunistic try, picking up at the base of a Springbok ruck and racing through untouched.

The Boks will have another chance to secure the title, though, when they travel to New Zealand next Saturday - a match the All Blacks will have to win with a bonus point to keep their Tri-Nations hopes alive.