Rathbone try denies Springboks

Rugby Tri-Nations: George Gregan does not play Test matches any more; he passes milestones. Having become only the fourth player to win 100 caps he marches on to Sydney, where he will face the All Blacks on Saturday and equal David Campese's Australian record of 101 caps.

By the end of next season he will likely have passed Philippe Sella of France (111) and will be closing in on England's world-record holder Jason Leonard (114).

The Wallaby coach Eddie Jones likened his 31-year-old captain to a great batsman who retakes his guard after reaching a century.

"He was outstanding," said Jones. "But I don't think we should get too carried away because I think he has a few more to go."

Gregan's contract expires at the season's end but there is every sign he still has the desire to play Test rugby and there is no doubt Jones wants him. He is the great technician of half-back play and though he rarely produces moments of startling individual brilliance he is the glue that holds together Australia's game plan.

A shoulder injury kept him out of the opening Tri-Nations match in Wellington, notable for an inept performance by Stephen Larkham.

With the old Canberra firm of Gregan and Larkham reunited, the Wallabies possessed the composure and experience the Springboks lacked. Still, it took a South African to decide the game - albeit one who has changed allegiances.

Winger Clyde Rathbone, who captained the South African under-21s to the world title two years ago, powered over in the corner for victory with nine minutes left.

Australia's win leaves them in the hunt to claim their first Tri-Nations title since 2001, although an All Black win on Saturday would mean a sixth title in nine seasons for them.

It is already shaping up as one of the most even competitions since 1996. Jones pointed to the Springbok reawakening. South Africa have a grand slam tour of Britain and Ireland at the end of the year and White said. "Knowing how the Wallabies and All Blacks demolished England here means that if we build on what we have here there's no reason we can't go through the grand slam unbeaten."

AUSTRALIA: Latham; Rathbone, Mortlock, Giteau (Burke, 64), Tuqiri; Larkham, Gregan (capt); Young, Paul, Baxter, Harrison (Vickerman, 66), Sharpe, Smith (Roe, 66), Waugh, Lyons. Scorers: Tries: Tuqiri, Larkham, Latham, Rathbone. Cons: Giteau, Burke. Pens: Giteau 2.

SOUTH AFRICA: Montgomery; Paulse, Joubert, Barry, De Villiers (Du Toit, h-t); Van der Westhuyzen, Du Preez; Du Randt, Smit (capt), Andrews (Van der Linde, 58), Botha, Britz, Burger (Van Niekerk, 28-36), Venter, Cronje. Scorers: Tries: Van der Westhuyzen, De Villiers, Du Toit. Con: Montgomery. Pens: Montgomery 3.

Referee: C White (England).

Guardian Service