BRISBANE, 16 July 2006 — Australia recorded their biggest win over South Africa in 85 years with a 49-0 demolition in the second round of the Tri-Nations at Lang Park yesterday.
The Wallabies rebounded from last week’s 32-12 loss to New Zealand to produce their best performance of the season, scoring six unanswered tries to chalk up their highest total and biggest winning margin against the Springboks since the teams first played each other in 1921.
“South Africa are a proud rugby nation so to beat them 49-0 is pretty special,” Australia captain George Gregan told a news conference.
“We’ve probably had a few chances in the past to really put them away but this is the first time we’ve actually done it.” The South Africans went into the match without several key players and coach Jake White complained that his team had been harshly treated by New Zealand referee Paul Honiss but said he could not hide from the fact that they had played poorly.
“There’s nothing much you can say after you lose like that. This really was a poor performance by the players,” White said.
“Australia played very, very well...but I thought we would have been more competitive.” The South Africans dominated the early forward exchanges but the Australians finished on top with prop Greg Holmes, hooker Jeremy Paul and replacement lock Mark Chisholm all scoring tries as the Wallaby pack responded to the criticism of their dismal showing against the All Blacks.
The Wallaby backs showed again why they are regarded as one of the best attacking units in the world with another slick demonstration of high-speed running and skilful passing and kicking.
