JOHANNESBURG // The winger Jongi Nokwe scored four tries as South Africa routed Australia 53-8 in their Tri-Nations match at Ellis Park. Nokwe became only the second man to score a hat-trick against Australia for South Africa, and added a fourth try in the second half before limping off with an ankle injury. He follows in the footsteps of Hennie van Zyl, who scored three tries against Australia on the same ground in 1961. South Africa led 27-3 at half-time after Matt Giteau opened the scoring with a sixth-minute penalty for Australia. It took the Wallabies another 50 minutes to score again, with replacement three-quarter Drew Mitchell adding a try. The result sees Australia trail New Zealand by one point - 13 to 14 - in the Tri-Nations table ahead of the final match between the two next month in Brisbane, Australia. It was South Africa's last match in the tournament, but despite a devastating final game they finish bottom with 10 points.
South Africa 53 (Andries Bekker, Jongi Nokwe 4, Adrian Jacobs, Ruan Pienaar, Odwa Ndungane tries; Butch James 3, Percy Montgomery 2 conversions; James penalty), Australia 8 (Drew Mitchell try; Matt Giteau penalty). HT: 27-3.
