South Africa 15 Wallabies 27

EIGHT years of anguish are over.

The Wallabies early today succeeded in winning their first Test on South African soil since 2000 - and captain Stirling Mortlock was again a major contributor.

On the same ground eight years ago, Mortlock kicked the winning penalty in the final minutes for Australia's first and then only Tri-Nations success in South Africa.

This morning, Mortlock's outstanding solo try in the 57th minute, in which the Wallabies skipper weaved and skipped around numerous Springboks defenders to score under the post, guaranteed Australian jubilation at ABSA Stadium.

As expected, the Wallabies at full-time were in near disbelief as they at last achieved victory in this part of the world.

This was the most courageous of wins, with many casualties, including Berrick Barnes, Dan Vickerman and James Horwill, who had to be helped from the field at full-time. Every Wallaby put his body on the line and there were several outstanding performances, in particular from Matt Giteau - his poise and midfield kicking were crucial.

The Wallabies thwarted a spirited Boks revival in the second half when their centre, Adrian Jacobs, scored twice to bring the home team within reach of the Wallabies. But in the final 10 minutes, they held firm to be able to savour a special away moment.

The Wallabies withstood incredible pressure from the Springboks and succeeded with their few opportunities to take a 10-0 lead at the break.

Despite the Boks dominating territory and possession early on, incredible defence by the Wallabies all over the field enabled them to thwart countless dangerous attacks.

In the first quarter, Barnes was hit heavily on numerous occasions, primarily from Springboks five-eighth Butch James, who seemed to be intent on knocking his head off. Then, in the 18th minute, when Barnes attempted a clever pass through his legs to Wycliff Palu, James came in on the angle and with a legitimate charge hit him directly on the right shoulder.

He received attention and had to be replaced by Ryan Cross, which brought a back-line reshuffle. Mortlock had to be moved from 13 to inside-centre to enable Cross to play in his customary centre spot.

Vickerman then became the next casualty when he also received a heavy hit on his shoulder. Illness even struck the team before the game when reserve forward Hugh McMeniman was ruled out because of a virus, which led Dean Mumm to take his place on the bench and then come on the field for Vickerman.

The Wallabies had only limited attacking chances but they used them judiciously. The best was in the 26th minute, when for the first time in the game, they were perched in the Springboks' quarter and, after several head-down charges, their loose-head prop Benn Robinson succeeded in finding the line to make it 10-0.

AUSTRALIA 27 (Stirling Mortlock, Benn Robinson, Lote Tuqiri tries Matt Giteau 3 cons 2 pens) bt SOUTH AFRICA 15 (Adrian Jacobs  2 tries Percy Montgomery con Butch James pen) at ABSA Stadium. Referee:Lyndon Bray (NZL). Crowd:48,123.