South Africa have celebrated Victor Matfield's 100th Test match with a 44-31 come-from-behind victory over the Wallabies in a bizarre Tri Nations encounter at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday morning (AEST).
It was a classic case of what might have been for the Wallabies, who failed to capitalise on a dream start after scoring two converted tries in the opening seven minutes.
The visitors scored four-tries-to-three in a frenetic first half to take a 28-24 lead into the break.
But despite a multitude of opportunities, Robbie Deans' men failed to find the goalline in the second 40 while the Springboks crossed twice through Frans Steyn (49th minute) and JP Pietersen (79th) to end their four-match losing streak.
The victory means the Springboks can still reclaim the Mandela Cup with a win in Bloemfontein next weekend, while the Wallabies, who receive a solitary bonus point for their efforts, are still searching for their first win at altitude since 1963.
Matfield's dominance in the lineout and a brilliant overall performance from scrumhalf Francois Hougaard proved the difference between the two sides, with the hosts stealing four of the Wallabies' lineout throws while the No.9's try saving tackle on Adam Ashley-Cooper on the hour also proved telling.
For the visitors, James O'Connor bagged a double on the right wing while Kurtley Beale and Drew Mitchell were constant threats in attack, but it wasn't enough to snatch a rare victory on the Highveld.
Will Genia opened the scoring in the third minute when he sliced through some suspect defence for the early 7-0 lead.
The visitors doubled their advantage in the sixth minute when O'Connor cashed in on some brilliant work from Beale who danced past five Springboks defenders and sprinted clear before linking with Rocky Elsom who was dragged down 5m short of the line.
Beale took the ball from the subsequent breakdown and found O'Connor at first receiver for the converted try.
The Springboks hit back when Hougaard sent Juan Smith crashing over adjacent to the posts, with Morne Steyn converting from close range to cut the deficit to seven points.
The bizarre beginning continued when O'Connor scored his second try of the afternoon from the re-start after Bryan Habana fumbled the kick-off, allowing the Wallabies winger to slide over out wide.
Giteau's third conversion of the contest restored the visitors' 14-point buffer.
But it was to be short lived as prop Gurthro Steenkamp bulldozed his way over the line to close to 21-14 after an astonishing opening 15 minutes.
The hosts edged three points closer when Morne Steyn landed a 57m penalty goal in the 20th minute.
Dean Mumm's first Test try six minutes later was cancelled out by Pierre Spies' effort on the half hour, as the Wallabies clung to a four-point lead at the interval.
Morne Steyn and Giteau traded penalties at the resumption before Frans Steyn scored the first try of the second stanza nine minutes in to give the hosts their first lead of the contest.
A sustained period of Wallabies attack thereafter lead to nothing, with Pietersen's try at the death the final insult for the tiring tourists.
Springboks 44
Tries: Smith, Steenkamp, Spies, F. Steyn, Pietersen
Con: M. Steyn 4, James 1
Pen: M.Steyn 2, F. Steyn
Wallabies 31
Tries: O'Connor 2, Genia, Mumm
Con: Giteau 4
Pen: Giteau
HT:24-28
@ Loftus Versfeld, 29/08/10.