Baa-Baas batter Boks

A wily Barbarians outfit exposed South Africa's inexperience with a 26-20 victory over the world champions at Twickenham on Saturday.

With over 900 international caps between them and the likes of Joe Rokocoko, Ma'a Nonu and Mat Giteau in the threequarters, the Baa-Baas gave a Springbok side containing several younger players from Peter de Villiers squad a tough lesson in top level rugby.

Tries from James O'Connor, Quintin Geldenhuys and two from last week's Wallaby hat-trick hero Drew Mitchell, proved the difference as the Baa-Baas dominated possession for long periods and repeatedly won turnover ball throughout the encounter.

Upholding the traditions of the club, Nick Mallet's men played with characteristically flamboyant style and were more than happy to run the ball from deep inside their own 22.

South Africa, on the other hand, struggled to find consistency or rhythm, particularly at the set piece, and rarely looked altogether comfortable on the ball.

Devastating

The Baa-Baas stylish onslaught began almost from the opening kick of the game and within two minutes they were camped deep in the Springbok 22, after Nonu blasted through South Africa's midfield.

The Barbarians continued to batter the Springbok line with wave after wave of attacks and it was only a matter of time before the pressure paid off.

It was Will Genia who outfoxed the South African defence with a neat offload out of the back of his hand to put Mitchell over in the corner. O'Connor missed the conversion to leave the Barbarians 5-0 up after five minutes.

South Africa pulled three points back four minutes later, Elton Jantjies slotting a penalty after Stephen Moore was pinged at the breakdown.

But the Baa-Baas continued to dominate possession and just five minutes later Nonu's cut out pass found a Barbarian back line queuing up on the left to score.

The ball found its way into O'Connor's hands, who strolled in unopposed in the left corner before converting his own try to make it 12-3.

There was no respite for South Africa whose poor start quickly worsened when just three minutes later Mitchell's devastating pace handed the Baa- Baas their third.

No let-up

The move began inside the Baa-Baas own 22, where the turnover gave Adam Ashley Cooper the opportunity to make ground up the left before hacking on.

Cooper's kick sent the Springbok defence scrambling back but they were no match for Mitchell's blistering acceleration, as he tore away to throw himself on the loose ball for the five points.

There was no let-up in South Africa's struggles for the remainder of the first half as the Barbarians continued to pin the worlds champions back with ease.

But the Springboks claimed first blood after the restart when winger Odwa Ndungane intercepted Nonu's pass just inside his own half and sprinted away for a much needed try.

Jantjies struck the conversion to take the score to 19-10 with four minutes of the second half gone and keep South Africa just in touch.

The Springboks had beefed up their front row at the interval and began to take more control at the scrum, although they continued to struggle to hold on to the ball.

Nerves seemed to get the better of young fly-half Jantjies on 57 minutes when he sent what looked to be a relatively straightforward penalty wide.

Lifeline

And the Baa-Baas fourth try came just four minutes later after another period of sustained pressure on the Springbok line.

Big prop Neemia Tialata bulldozed his way up the left wing until he was eventually brought down close to the line.

But Geldenhuys, grabbed the loose ball and barged over in the left corner. O'Connor added the extras to take the scores to 26-10.

Bakkies Botha handed the Springboks a lifeline after 69 minutes when he powered over from close range to close the gap by five.

But Jantjies missed again to leave his side trailing by 11 points as the game entered the final 10 minutes.

With a second consecutive defeat to the Barbarians now inevitable following their 2007 loss, the Springboks spent the final minute hammering at the Barbarian line.

And, as the timer turned red, Bandise Maku found his way over for a consolation try that will provide little comfort for Peter de Villiers' men.