Springboks 29 - 17 Wallabies: Tri Nations round 4

The Springboks completed a clean sweep of home games on Saturday with a deserved 29-17 victory over the Wallabies at Newlands in Cape Town. The Wallabies got off to a great start, scoring in the corner from a set move in the 2nd minute of the game. But it was all South Africa thereafter, their pressure game once again squeezing the life out of the opposition.

Wallabies lineout woes

The Wallabies had a dismal day in the lineout, conceding numerous turnovers on their own throw, while not managing to put any pressure on the Springbok lineout. To be fair, the Springboks didn't have too many throw-ins, because the Wallabies refused to kick for touch. One has got to give credit to the Boks here for their dominance though - the Wallabies are generally regarded as having one of the better lineouts in the game, but Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha were all over them on Saturday. And added to the way they performed against the All Blacks in the last couple of games, one has to admit this is the best lineout around at the moment.

Wallabies ill-discipline

The Australians were also guilty of giving away too many penalties, mostly in kickable positions. Once again the reliable boot of Springbok flyhalf Morne Steyn kept the scoreboard moving for the Springboks - he ended the match with a personal tally of 24 for the day. The frustration began to tell towards the end of the first half, which the Wallabies ended with only 13 men on the field: Matt Giteau was given a yellow card for a dangerous aerial challenge on Fourie du Preez (and was fortunate not to be cited after the match), and Richard Brown followed barely a minute later for a professional foul. George Smith also picked up a yellow in the last couple of minutes of the game for a similar professional foul, but the match was sealed by then.

By contrast, the Springboks kept their discipline throughout the match, and when they did concede penalties, they were mostly not in kickable positions. Obviously it's easier to keep your composure when things are going your way, and so far this season the Springboks have had most things their way.

Springbok backline?

Even though the game was won in convincing fashion, the Springboks once again failed to show much on attack via the backs. Sure, they were good on defence and putting pressure on the opposition, but one can't help feeling they are not living up to the potential they have. It's hard to criticise a winning strategy, and in fact it would be foolish to suggest the team abandon what is working so well for them at the moment, but one hopes they have a few moves up their sleeve in case they need to resort to Plan B one of these days...

State of play

The Springboks are currently in a strong position on the table ahead of their overseas leg. But let's not forget they are not the best of travellers. The other thing to bear in mind is that there have still not been any away wins this year; if that trend continues it will be a tight finish and will come down to bonus points or points-difference to seperate the teams. And so far the only team to have a bonus point are the Wallabies.

With the way they've been playing one should back the Boks to register at least one away win, which should see them win the tournament for only the third time - especially if the All Blacks and Wallabies split the rest of their matches. But there's still everything to play for when the tournament resumes on 22nd August.