Springboks in Perth stalemate
What a let down in Perth, as the Springboks and Wallabies drew 23-all in a Rugby Championship stalemate that will feel equally hollow to both sides.
Neither side deserved to lose but given the sub standard quality of the game neither could claim to have deserved to win.
Historically absolutely nothing separated the two teams, with both having won 42, lost 57 and drawn two of their 101 competition matches.
On Saturday the two teams were true to historic form in producing the second draw in Perth in nine match-ups.
The Boks fought back from a 20-10 deficit to lead 23-20, but the Wallabies drew level in the 70th minute.
The Boks were dominant in the final few minutes and attacked in the Wallabies half. The forwards worked the phases to set up an Elton Jantjies drop goal and when the attempt came, just a few seconds after the final hooter, it was charged down.
The ball bounced favourably for the Boks and they won back possession and continued to attack 20 metres from the Australian tryline. However, the hosts were disciplined and decisive in their defence and when when the Boks turned over possession in injury time it was the Wallabies who counter attacked.
Their effort didn’t last more than two phases before a fumble from the Wallabies, followed by a fumble from the Boks, ended the match.
It was an ending that typified a match that was low in quality but high in desperation.
Neither side wanted to lose and neither side seemed capable of breaking the deadlock through a moment of inspiration.
The Boks produced their worst 40 minutes of the season in the first half. They were cautious, despite the pre-match talk of smashing the Wallabies in the first quarter, and the slow start would prove their undoing.
The Bok bench provided the necessary impact as the Boks finally took command in the last quarter, but the positive of the finish was not translated on the scoreboard.
Scorers:
Australia
Tries: Kurtley Beale, Tatafu Polota-Nau
Conversions: Bernard Foley (2)
Penalties: Foley (3)
SA
Tries: Jesse Kriel, Malcolm Marx
Conversions: Elton Jantjies (2)
Penalties: Jantjies (3)
