The South African juggernaut rolled on in the Tri-Nations championship on Saturday with a late Morne Steyn penalty sealing a 29-17 triumph over Australia at Newlands.Blow-by-blow scoring

Flyhalf Steyn contributed 24 points from seven penalties and a drop goal while veteran lock Victor Matfield crossed for a try as the Springboks went eight points clear of New Zealand in the standings.

The result completed a run of three home victories in as many weeks for South Africa after defeating fiercest rivals the All Blacks in Bloemfontein and Durban.

After scoring an early try, Australia were rocked by a number of setbacks, including the 30th-minute departure of injured captain Stirling Mortlock and yellow cards for Matt Giteau and Richard Brown within 60 seconds soon after.

The southern hemisphere championship takes a one-week break before Australia host defending champions New Zealand in Sydney on August 22 followed by two home fixtures against the Springobks.

Australia gave the capacity 49 000 crowd an early jolt by taking a second-minute lead when fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper dotted down in the corner for a try Giteau converted.

But as pressure gradually mounted on the Wallabies they committed frequent infringements and were severely punished by Steyn, who kicked three penalties to edge the green and gold into a 9-7 lead after 14 minutes.

Centre Berrick Barnes put the visitors ahead again 60 seconds later as he picked up a pass from loose play and struck a sweet drop goal.

Referee Alain Rolland warned both captains as the penalty count mounted and another Aussie transgression presented Steyn with the chance he gladly took to slot a fourth penalty and nudge the reigning world champions in front.

Steyn dropped a goal soon after and the increasingly dominatant Springboks were 15-10 ahead as they applied the same pressure game plan that worked so well against the All Blacks.

That lead was stretched to ten points on 28 minutes as Matfield, partnering Bakkies Botha at lock for the 50th time, raced on to a John Smit grubber kick and touched down.

Australia were reduced to 13 men within 60 seconds as Giteau got a yellow card amid a chorus of booing for a late tackle on Fourie du Preez and Brown followed after being caught in a blatant offside position.

However, South Africa added only three points from another Steyn penalty before half-time to turn over leading 23-10 as they sought to maintain a 100 per cent Tri-Nations record against Australia in Cape Town.

Frustration at being repeatedly blown up was telling on the Australians with George Smith holding a “mini-summit” with Rolland before Steyn landed another penalty 15 minutes into the second half.

When the Boks come under pressure, they remained calm and clinical and a huge booted clearance from flanker Heinrich Brussow took play to the other end of the field where Lachie Turner was forced to concede a five-metre scrum.

But although 16 points adrift, Australia were in no mood to surrender and they survived two Bok put-ins and eventually relieved pressure when the home team were penalised.

And a counterattack from young replacement back James O’Connor led to the visitors lock Nathan Sharpe going close before Giteau skipped over beside the posts for a try he converted.

Scoring:
South Africa – Try: Victor Matfield. Penalties: Morne Steyn (7). Drop Goal: M Steyn.
Australia – Tries: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Giteau. Conversions: Giteau (2). Drop Goal: Berrick Barnes.