Sport - Form guide: South Africa

Tries from Stefan Terblanche and Trevor Halstead and a steady stream of points from the boot of Louis Koen were enough for them to snatch victory at the death.

Koen has proved indispensable this season and his precise kicking was again crucial a week on when South Africa came from behind to beat Scotland.

Terblanche got in on the act again with a try, but it was Koen who took the headlines, as he did against Argentina in their final match before the Tri-Nations.

Already accustomed to nail-biting finishes, South Africa and Koen came through by a single point against the Pumas, a penalty from the last kick of the game denying the visitors a first test win over their hosts.

Koen, who scored 16 points, finished the match with a 100% return from six shots at goal.

Against all expectations the Springboks maintained their winning run at the start of the Tri-Nations against Australia.

AFRIKAANS RUGBY TERMINOLOGY Try: N drie Penalty: N strafskop Tackle: N laagvat Come on ref: Kom nou rel Cauliflower ears: Blomkool ore

They stifled the Australians throughout and having scored two first-half tries through Brent Russell and Victor Matfield held on to claim a 26-22 win after a frantic final quarter.

That was as good as it got for South Africa.

Their season tailed off, starting with a trouncing at the hands of New Zealand.

The Springboks were outclassed throughout in Pretoria, Ashwin Willemse’s try their only answer to seven All Black touchdowns.

South Africa fared better at the start of their second game against Australia and at least stayed in contact with their opponents until early in his second half.

However, the match will be remembered for the violent scenes which marred the contest and resulted in Toutai Kefu being carried off on a stretcher following a high tackle.

Springbok pride was restored a week on with their most polished performance of the competition.

Despite coming away from Dunedin as 19-11 losers to New Zealand, they were defensively far more astute and ended with a stunning score from prop Richard Bands.

Since their last action on the pitch, preparations have been blighted by internal race rows.

An inquiry was launched into allegations of “racism and prejudice” within the squad which was subsequently delayed to let Strauli’s team concentrate on the World Cup.