South Africa 15 Australia 27

WALLABIES were out on their feet. Some had to be helped from the field. Others were disoriented by the sheer physicality that underlined their historic Test win over the Springboks at ABSA Stadium on Saturday.

Man-of-the-match Rocky Elsom arrived at the post-match media conference clearly exhausted. He looked spent, leaning forward with the grim look of one who had just experienced another South African defeat rather than a major victory. While teammates Matt Giteau and Stirling Mortlock whispered "saviour" as he answered a question - clearly referring to his ability to play 80 minutes just days after being considered no chance of figuring in this Test because of an ankle injury - Elsom played it straight and showed little emotion. He opted for the lift back down to the dressing rooms, rather than the stairs.

Considering the magnitude of the victory, their first in South Africa in eight years, one would have anticipated frantic celebrations in the Wallabies dressing room. Instead the intensity of the Test, the serious casualties and the belief that their job is only half done - the sides back up with another Test in Johannesburg on Saturday - had them rein in their feelings. But it was clear the players and staff were deeply proud of what they had achieved. As a straight-faced Wallabies coach Robbie Deans explained to the South African television interviewer: "I'm smiling inside."

Later, Deans elaborated and his admiration for his side came through. He was particularly proud of the way they had been able to handle whatever the Springboks came up with in a three-tries-to-two victory that appeared assured from half-time, despite the late South African revival prompted by two tries in five minutes from centre Adrian Jacobs.

Deans had seen newcomers and injured players step up, and the whole team remain patient and composed for nearly all the game, kept together by an excellent midfield kicking game from Giteau.

Yet there were constant references to the Johannesburg Test, to remind all that the Wallabies were halfway to achieving their ultimate goal of a pair of victories on South African soil.

"The performance wasn't error-free, but when you look at the context and the fact the Springboks were desperate, it is a significant win," Deans said.

"You only have to look at the carnage in the change rooms. They did what had to be done, and they did it the hard way. They gutsed it out.

"The key now is whether we can back up next Saturday. There will be many who will be suggesting we can't, and history would suggest that also. But there is now a great opportunity this week to do what we want to achieve. We know we will have to be better next week. But we want to be better, and we want to back up."

As expected, the most satisfied Wallaby was Mortlock. Eight years ago, he clinched Australia's only previous Tri Nations triumph in South Africa when he banged over a sideline penalty in the final minutes. On Saturday, at the same ground, the skipper made it two victories in the Republic, leading from the front with a masterful individual try.

His relief was overwhelming. "We've come over here so many times, and got so close," Mortlock said. "This is a place where we have suffered disappointment after disappointment. So to finally get the monkey off our backs feels great."

Mortlock said the fact eight Wallabies were playing their first Test in South Africa was crucial, as it lightened "the team's baggage".

"All of the guys who were involved for the first time on African soil did really well," Mortlock said. "There's now a good mix. There's youthful exuberance and then there's a crop of guys who have been around for some years, who also have desire and resolve to better ourselves as a group. I think Robbie's steering us in the right direction to do that.

"You always get tested over here, and that came into play late in the game. But the positive mindset that this team is in, is putting us in good stead. And we are building. The challenge now is to back up next week."