SOUTH AFRICAN Currie Cup champions Natal played their best rugby in the Super 12 series to score five tries in a 34-6 win over New South Wales in Sydney yesterday.
Natal, trailing 3-0 at half-time, stunned the 30,147 home crowd in the second half with two tries from centre Jeremy Thomson inside 13 minutes.
Natal made the game safe - and secured the extra bonus scoring point - with further scores from left winger Joos Joubert, flanker Wayne Fyvie and Springbok right winger James Small.
Outside-half Henry Honiball, who missed his first two penalty attempts, finished the night with three conversions and a penalty from seven attempts.
It had all looked to be going against Natal in the first half when Honiball and Springbok full-back Andre Jouberti missed three kickable penalties.
Natal were also denied a try on the half-time siren as the Waratahs defended their line against a wave of attacks.
Natal's most impressive performance brought their third win. They have also lost to Northern Transvaal and ACT.
Waratahs looked disorganised in their first home defeat in the Super 12 season, and several key players, including outside-half Scott Bowen, fullback Matthew Burke and former Wallaby flanker Willie Ofahengaue, were decidedly off form.
Natal play Wellington on Saturday while NSW play Queensland in Brisbane
Meanwhile, in another Super 12 result, Auckland scored seven tries in a 51-29 home win over Otago yesterday.
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