The Wallabies took care of their biggest test of 2010, but the jury is still out on whether the Quade Cooper-charged side can have the breakthrough Tri Nations they'll need to finally fill the trophy cabinet with the silverware that they so desperately desire.
Whether or not the Wallabies can match it with the red hot Kiwi side remains to be seen, but the approach and talent shown by some of Australia's young recruits have many excited about the potential of the youthful side.
Twenty-two-year-old David Pocock backed up his stand-out performance in the corresponding 2009 Tri Nations match with a man of the match performance that had the hierarchy on both sides of the offence noting his influence.
Springboks skipper John Smit said: "David Pocock was all over the break-down today, that was massive, and we just didn't match it.
"It's the kind of stuff that kill you. It's hard enough playing away from then you've go to make sure that if you've got opportunities there you have to take it."
Earlier in the week Pocock had been tipped by Jim Williams and Rocky Elsom to prove a difference maker in the clash, and while the humble flanker downplayed talk at the time, he certainly delivered on his pledge to show up for his team mate in a manner reminiscent of George Smith.
Pocock's try-saving tackle on Springboks flyer Bryan Habana typified the efforts of the gutsy Wallabies No.7, who earned his side several key penalties with stellar grunt-work at the break-down.
There were several 'wow' moments from the young Australian players who, if they stick true to their attacking instincts, promise to entertain rugby fans for a generation to come.
Twenty-year-old James O'Connor tried hard all night and despite dropping the first bomb launched by the Boks, came back to excite with his footwork and even make a dominant, dumping tackle on a much heavier South African prop.
Rob Horne made some telling hits in defence. Drew Mitchell came back from his axing from the initial squad with a credible performance in which he showed beautiful hands at times and scored a highlight-reel juggling try.
Not everything Quade Cooper turned to gold, but the live-wire five-eighth again showed glimpses of magic that excited the keyed up Suncorp crowd of 44, 284 and vindicated his continued selection at No.10 ahead of Matt Giteau who had an eye-catching showing at inside-centre.
Berrick Barnes replaced Giteau in the second-stanza and reminded Wallabies fans of his talent with some accurate kicking and typically reliable defence. Waiting in the wings are attacking weapons Kurtley Beale, Digby Ioane and Anthony Faingaa.
Adam Ashley-Cooper showed courage attacking the high-ball and provided reliability strength in defense to earn a post-game wrap from David Pocock for his efforts.
But of all the young Wallabies showing potential, it was Will Genia that many consider to have been the Wallabies' next best after Pocock.
Genia used his attacking darts form the scrum-base sparingly and to great affect. He provided crisp service and marshalled the Australian forwards even as the Wallaby back-line plunged full-steam ahead in a frantic contest.
The plucky scrum-half was named the player of last season's Super 14 earlier in the week by his South African opposite Ruan Pienaar, and the victory-sealing try by Genia was typical of the intuitive football that drove the Reds to their best result