Wallabies grab dramatic win

Australia ended a 47-year losing streak at South African altitude by edging a rollercoaster Tri-Nations contest in Bloemfontein.

Kurtley Beale's late penalty snatched a dramatic victory for the visitors, who looked to have the game in the bag after dominating the opening quarter and then let the Springboks battle all the way back to lead in the second half.

The world champions looked down and out shortly before half-time when they trailed 31-6, but a moment of inspiration from vice-captain Victor Matfield reinvigorated the hosts after he set up Jacque Fourie to score.

Further tries from Gurthro Steenkamp and Jean de Villiers, added to a match haul of 24 points for Morne Steyn, edged the Boks in front, but Beale's 55-metre kick from the right helped seal a first win on the Highveld for the visitors since 1963.

Australia were gifted an early three points when Bryan Habana was punished for not releasing and Matt Giteau easily slotted over the opening points.

Steyn responded for the hosts after Beale's illegal attempt to steal the ball, but the Waratahs back made amends almost instantly.

Jean de Villiers failed to hold his position, which allowed James O'Connor to send his team-mate away for the opening try after eight minutes.

Giteau added the extras, before another Springbok error, this time surprisingly at the line-out, led to another seven pointer for Australia.

John Smit's put-in was too long enabling the Wallabies to steal the ball and spread it quickly through the hands to Adam Ashley-Cooper, whose pass sent O'Connor over.

The conversion by Giteau followed, and after Steyn put over another penalty, Stephen Moore crossed for his third Test try, set up by Drew Mitchell's break through the middle.

Australia added a bonus point-try after 24 minutes, but again had Habana to thank after the winger missed his tackle on O'Connor, who sliced through the centre and off-loaded to Rocky Elsom to score.

Genius

Giteau extended the lead to 31-6 and the score looked to be remaining that way heading into the half-time break, until the moment of genius from Matfield.

The veteran lock, who won his 100th cap last week, chipped the ball over the last defender and impressively regathered before laying the ball on for Fourie to score.

Steyn converted to leave Peter de Villiers' side trailing by 18 at the break.

Steenkamp cut that gap by five six minutes after the restart when he powered his way over and the conversion along with a penalty from Steyn further boosted the visibly rejuvenated hosts.

The upward swing in momentum gathered even more pace after 54 minutes when Jean de Villiers' angled run cut right through the Australia defence and saw the Stormers centre cross under the post.

It was a move that came from an initial Beale error and then strong South Africa scrum.

The comeback was complete on the hour mark when a mammoth 50 metre penalty from Steyn put the home side ahead for the first time.

And Australia's woes deepened 10 minutes later when replacement hooker Saia Faingaa was sent to the sin bin after a spear tackle on Flip van der Merwe.

Steyn extended the lead to five points, but there was another twist when Mitchell crossed under the posts with eight minutes to play and O'Connor handed the lead back to the tourists with a clean conversion.

But an error from Beale four minutes from time presented Steyn with his ninth opportunity at goal and he maintained his 100% record by putting his side back ahead.

However, Beale had the final say to condemn South Africa to bottom place in the standings after a disappointing defence of their 2009 title.