Sport

Springboks booed from field

2008 Tri-Nations South Africa 15 Australia 27 : THE WORLD champions South Africa were booed off the field on Saturday after …

Mon Aug 25 2008 - 01:00

2008 Tri-Nations South Africa 15 Australia 27: THE WORLD champions South Africa were booed off the field on Saturday after losing 27-15 to Australia.

The loss was the world champions' fourth in five Tri-Nations matches and put them out of contention for the title with two rounds remaining.

Springbok captain Victor Matfield said the crowd reaction was understandable after his side made too many mistakes.

"We are the world champions and we cannot afford to lose two in a row. It's unacceptable to play like that," Matfield said.

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"The chances were there but we cannot make mistakes like we did today . . . those mistakes killed us."

Coach Peter de Villiers asked the South Africa fans to be patient.

"They want to back a winning side, but we never go out there to lose on purpose and it's a new playing style I'm trying to get out there," he said. "Rome wasn't built in a day and I ask the people to be patient, to give us more time."

Australian coach Robbie Deans praised his players for putting to an end an eight-year losing streak in South Africa:"The performance was by no means error-free, but it was never going to be with South Africa such a desperate team.

"But the intensity was there, the boys got up and did what had to be done . . . I'm very happy with the composure."

Deans has called up lock Nathan Sharpe to replace the injured Dan Vickerman for the return clash in Johannesburg on Saturday.Vickerman hurt a shoulder, as did the centre Berrick Barnes, though Deans said he would replace Barnes from within the 28-man squad.

SCORES: South Africa - tries, Jacobs 2; con, Montgomery; pen, James. Australia - tries, Robinson, Tuqiri, Mortlock; cons, Giteau 3; pens, Giteau 2.

SOUTH AFRICA: Jantjes; Pietersen (Montgomery 45), Jacobs, De Villiers, Nokwe; James (Steyn 56), Du Preez (R Januarie 63); Mtawarira (Mujati 56), Du Plessis (A Strauss 79), Van der Linde, Bekker, Matfield, Burger, Smith (Watson 63), P Spies (Van Niekerk 58).

AUSTRALIA: Mitchell; Hynes (Tahu 59), Mortlock, Barnes (Cross 21), Tuqiri; Giteau, Cordingley (Sheehan 55); Robinson, Moore, Dunning (Baxter 55); Horwill (Polota-Nau 79), Vickerman (Mumm 38); Elsom, Smith, Palu (P Waugh 77).

Referee: L Bray(New Zealand).