Win over Wallabies sets South Africa up for New Zealand clash

Coach Heyneke Meyer said South Africa must become more clinical finishers if they hope to beat New Zealand in Soweto this weekend.

The Springboks and the All Blacks square up at the 90,000-capacity Soccer City stadium, where late tries by flanker Richie McCaw and fullback Israel Dagg saw the visitors snatch a 29-22 victory two years ago.

South Africa will enter the final-round Rugby Championship clash with their confidence boosted by a five-try, 31-8 victory over Australia at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria.

Right wing Bryan Habana scored three tries and fullback Zane Kirchner and flanker Francois Louw one each as a fired-up Springbok pack set the platform for a convincing first success against the Wallabies in six attempts.

But Meyer was not getting carried away after the Springboks ended a dismal run in which a lucky draw away to Argentina was followed by losses in Australia and New Zealand.

"We have high standards and should have scored three more tries against the Wallabies," Meyer said. 

"It is great to come home and win and we have not beaten Australia for some time, but we have to start taking those opportunities. While we want to score tries again [this week], we are aware of the challenge of playing the world champions.