Australia's woeful away record in the Tri-nations continued with a 24-16 defeat to South Africa on Saturday.

Both sides made numerous errors in a scrappy encounter, but replacement wing Breyton Paulse's gave the Springboks their second try and they shut out Australia for the last eight minutes.

Australia have not won away in the Tri-nations since 2001.

Scrumhalf Fourie du Preez scored South Africa's first try 15 minutes into the second half, to give them a 19-10 lead, but lapses in concentration allowed Australia's centre Stirling Mortlock to kick two penalties.

Mortlock and Springbok flyhalf Andre Pretorius had each kicked a penalty as the teams went into the break at 3-3.

Australia took a 10-6 lead when they won turnover ball and switched their attack from right to left, allowing flyhalf Stephen Larkham to stroll over for a simple try.