July 2001 Sport News Headlines

PRETORIA - The Springboks maintained their interest in the Tri-Nations with a superb 20-15 victory over the world champions Australia at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.

The Boks raced into a 14-0 lead by the break and managed to hold on for the win despite a flurry of Matthew Burke penalties.

Recalled Springbok centre Braam van Straaten kicked over five penalties, three in the first half, to secure the much-needed victory.

The Boks also managed to score the only try of the match when captain Bob Skinstad - who scored the winning try against the same opposition to land SA the title in 1998 - again proved the Wallaby nemesis.

The Boks led throughout the match but survived a few nervous minutes towards the end when replacement flyhalf Manny Edmonds slotted a penalty to narrow the score to 20-15, and within bonus point range.

The Wallabies came out for the second period firing and when Burke slotted two quick penalties a turnaround looked on the cards.

But Van Straaten held his nerve to increase the Bok lead to 17-6 in the 48th minute before Burke landed another two shots at goal.

With the game on the line at 17-12 Van Straaten made sure the Wallabies had to score twice to win with a vital penalty with 10 minutes remaining.

Edmonds managed to narrow the gap but the Boks, instead of folding, upped the tempo and finished the game well in Aussie territory.

For the Boks hooker Lukas van Biljon was outstanding, as was Andre Vos.

Fullback Conrad Jantjes, making his first start for the Boks, won the man of the match award.

Jantjes displayed maturity that belied his age and was always dangerous with ball in hand.

The Springboks dominated large portions of the first half, enjoying the better of both territory and possession, and for a change, they dominated the scoreboard as well.

That they boasted a healthy first half lead was thanks in chief to the prodigious boot of recalled Braam van Straaten, who slotted three penalties, two from behind his halfway line.

- Nampa-Sapa