THIS WEEK IN HISTORY - August 22, 1998
Springbok captain Gary Teichmann hoists the trophy after South Africa seal their first Tri-Nations triumph At Ellis Park, comprehensively outplaying Australia to win 29-15.
The Springboks lead 16-12 at half-time and score a try in each half to win the Southern Hemisphere tournament. The victory is a personal triumph for Nick Mallett, who took over as coach a year before and remodelled the South African side after Carel du Plessis was axed following the series defeat against the British Lions.
The home side, who beat Australia 14-13 in Perth earlier in the competition, mix iron defence with calculated attack to dominate the game, rarely giving the Wallabies a sight of their tryline and leaving fullback Matthew Burke to kick all of Australia's points.
South Africa's first try comes after they launch a bold attack from their line. Wing Pieter Rossouw breaks through the middle and flank Johan Erasmus takes the ball deep into Wallaby territory. When the Australians concede a penalty inside their 22 to kill the move, the Boks kick into the corner and score from the line-out. Teichmann takes the catch at the back and prop Adrian Garvey goes over unopposed off the side of the ruck, with the cover defence anonymous.
The second try comes in the final minutes, after a period of desperate defence by tiring Australia. Flank Bobby Skinstad, on as an 'impact' substitute for the final half-hour, produces a piece of magic after several phases of play ended with a ruck on the left.