Rookie Herschel Jantjies the difference as Springboks get the jump on the Wallabies
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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I am really looking forward to Leigh Halfpenny playing his first Super rugby game for the Crusaders Playing a long side his former Welsh and Scarlets team mate Johnny McNicoll.Johnny has been playing great, back in a Crusaders jersey.The attack has strengthened big time. Also looking forward to David Havili at 10. David is a class act, it also allows Dallas McLeod to remain at 12. A good thing.
Go to commentsIf he had stopped insisting on playing in the backrow, instead of wing, where everyone told him he should, he would have been a Bok years ago….
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