Boks' old guard fail to meet expectations

South Africa's old guard failed to meet expectations as they were beaten 14-9 by Australia in a tense Castle Tri-Nations encounter in Durban on Saturday.

The world champions, who had selected their strongest available team for almost two year, started out promisingly, but failed to really kick on and eventually slumped to a third loss in five matches against the Wallabies at Kings Park.

Australian centre Pat McCabe scored the only try of the evening and James O'Connor kicked three penalties as the visitors scored all their points in the second half.

Springbok pivot Butch James landed six points for the home side with the other three coming via a long range Steyn penalty.

The South Africans, desperate to win back support after a woeful tour to Australasia, began strongly and were awarded a penalty inside the first two minutes following a small scuffle between the players.

Referee Bryce Lawrence initially awarded a scrum, but changed his decision allowing Steyn to fire one of his trademark attempts at goal, this one sent over from 48 metres out.

The Australians responded with a good break down the left, but their backs were denied by a last-ditch intercept from Jaque Fourie with JP Pietersen kicking away the danger.

The early pace continued, and after Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield combined nicely to make their first steal at the line-out, South Africa won a second kickable penalty.

They, however, opted to set up a line-out -- a sign of confidence from Peter de Villiers' side.

But they had no hesitation once the next penalty was conceded from right in front as James kicked over.

Another penalty against the visitors followed when Sekope Kepu failed to roll away with James missing this time after the ball tipped over and he was hastened into kicking.

With the dreaded opening 20 minutes behind them -- coach Peter de Villiers feared it may take that long to settle -- South Africa led 6-0.

The hosts were denied the opening try in the 23rd minute when Fourie du Preez's high kick forward bounced awkwardly for Quade Cooper, who seemed to fumble as he and Fourie tried to gather with the centre then touching down.

Television official Shaun Veldsman, however, ruled that the ball was knocked forward first by Fourie, despite the pictures proving the contrary.

Following that move, James saw a drop-goal attempt sail wide as both sides lacked any real impetus.

Two minutes before the break, Australia had their first shot at goal after Bryan Habana stuck his hand illegally into a ruck, although O'Connor saw his kick slip wide.

And with the clock winding down, both sides had chances for tries.

First Habana and Tendai Mtawarira combined on the left only for the ball to be turned over five metres out, while at the other end, Will Genia, Beale and Digby Ioane brought the ball to within two metres, but were beaten by the whistle of Lawrence.

After the restart, O'Connor opened the account for his side when the Springboks were called for collapsing a scrum.

McCabe then landed the first try of the evening after the ball was spread out wide to him on the right via the hands of O'Connor, who missed the subsequent conversion.

As Robbie Deans' side went in front in the 48th minute De Villiers reacted by throwing on Bismarck du Plessis, Jean Deysel and Gio Aplon in the place of Jannie du Plessis, Heinrich Brussow and Frans Steyn.

Still the Wallabies looked dangerous, but their hosts were handed some respite when Cooper conceded a needless penalty allowing James to make it 9-8.

A great break then took the Springboks from their five metre line to that of Australia's, only for Du Plessis to knock on as a good chance went begging.

With 14 minutes to go, O'Connor handed the advantage back to Australia when he landed his second penalty after the home side played the ball illegally on the ground.

The young winger was handed another opportunity 10 minutes later which he happily took following a collapsed scrum by the Springbok forwards as Australia held on for the win.

Scorers: South Africa: Penalties: Frans Steyn (1), Butch James (2). Australia: Tries: Pat McCabe. Penalties: James O'Connor (3).