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Rookie Herschel Jantjies the difference as Springboks get the jump on the Wallabies
By Online Editors
Herschel Jantjies scored a brace on a memorable debut as South Africa secured a 35-17 win over Australia in their opening Rugby Championship clash at Johannesburg's Ellis Park.
Jantjies put the hosts ahead after just seven minutes before Lood de Jager extended the Springboks' advantage.
Dane Haylett-Petty gave Australia hope with his side's opening try of the evening to leave them trailing 14-10 at the interval.
But South Africa dominated after the break. Sibusiso Nkosi got his name on the scoresheet with 55 minutes gone.
Jantjies then went over for a second time before substitute Cobus Reinach sealed a convincing bonus-point victory in the closing seconds.
SOUTH AFRICA: Warrick Gelant; Sibusiso Nkosi, Jesse Kriel, André Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi; Elton Jantjies, Herschel Jantjies; Francois Louw, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Rynhardt Elstadt, Lodewyk de Jager, Eben Etzebeth (capt), Trevor Nyakane, Bongi Mbonambi, Tendai Mtawarira. Reps: Schalk Brits, Lizo Gqoboka, Vincent Koch, Marvin Orie, Marcel Coetzee, Cobus Reinach, Frans Steyn, Dillyn Leyds.
Scorers - Tries: H.Jantjies 2, De Jager, Nkosi, Reinach; Cons: E Jantjies 5.
Yellow card - Esterhuizen (20 – high tackle).
AUSTRALIA: Tom Banks; Dane Haylett-Petty, Tevita Kuridrani, Samu Kerevi, Reece Hodge; Bernard Foley, Nic White; Isi Naisarani, Michael Hooper (capt), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rory Arnold, Izack Rodda, Sekope Kepu, Folau Fainga’a, James Slipper. Reps: Jordan Uelese, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Taniela Tupou, Rob Simmons, Jack Dempsey, Will Genia, Matt To’omua, Kurtley Beale.
Scorers - Tries: Haylett-Petty, Foley; Con: Foley 2, Pen: Foley.
Yellow card - Taniela Tupou (53 – dangerous cleanout).
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand).
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Latest Comments
Thats exactly the criticism Ed, that it has already been done for generations. A strong SA, in many respects, should certainly help African rugby develop. You'd have to think they'd acclimatize much better being drawn to a pro SA club than say a European. Hopefully the fact theyve gone private (is that right Graham?) should enable this sort of change.
Go to commentsPerofeta came back and was available for the eoyt right? Or was that why Love was in the squad (but got injured in the last week)?
It was such a frustrating year. Perofeta looked a service stop gap until Jordan was fit, but then got injured. Plummer was selected because of Pero's injury and dmac shat the bed in the second half in Australia but Clarke (?) got himself binned at the 65 min mark so Plummer couldn't come on (at least with the risk adverse Razors thinking) when he was planned to.
So many other exciting opportunities that could have happened without injuries, but then theyre probably balanced by knowing Sititi probably wouldn't have been given a chance without multiple injuries happened.
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