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Agence France-Presse

Coach Allister Coetzee hailed skipper Adriaan Strauss and match-winner Morne Steyn after South Africa ground out an 18-10 Rugby Championship victory over Australia in Pretoria on Saturday.
Hooker Strauss gave his best performance for the Springboks this season as they snapped a three test losing streak that triggered fierce public and media criticism.
Recalled flyhalf Steyn scored all the South African points from four penalties and two drop goals as the hosts survived a second half battering before stretching a 12-10 half-time advantage.
“The value of Adriaan as a leader and as a hooker was there for all to see this evening,” Coetzee said after his record improved to four victories in eight tests since succeeding Heyneke Meyer last April.
Watch: South Africa v Australia highlights


He said the official man of the match showed “great character” in front of a near-capacity crowd in the 51,000-seat Loftus Versfeld stadium, where Strauss plays for Northern Bulls.
“Morne justified his inclusion,” said Coetzee, who axed younger flyhalf Elton Jantjies after a series of below-par performances in the southern hemisphere championship.
“Steyn showed this evening that he is still a test match player. He remains proud to play for the Springboks.”
The playmaker, who overtook retired Percy Montgomery as the most prolific Springbok penalty kicker with 149 successes, said he was thrilled to silence critics.

“It is tough coming back from three consecutive losses,” he said. “We have lots of critics and this victory was a great way to shut them up.”
Coetzee said the victory over the Wallabies was timely after away losses to Argentina, Australia and world champions New Zealand.
“It was an important win, not only for our confidence, but also our self belief,” he added.
“I am a very happy man and will never underestimate any test win. For a team that had their backs to the wall, a win like this means a lot and is a definite confidence booster.”

Take a bow Adriaan Strauss! Your Man of the Match. #LoveRugby @CastleLagerSA pic.twitter.com/dApIndovdW
— South African Rugby (@Springboks) October 1, 2016

Coetzee said the Springbok defence was a source of pride after the qualifications of the assistant coach responsible for it, Chean Roux, had been questioned by the media.
“Our defence was outstanding,” the coach said. “I must give credit to Chean as he worked very hard this week to get everyone on the same page.”
Although South Africa failed to score a try for the first time in eight matches this year, Coetzee was not downbeat.
“We were good with ball in hand, we moved well, but our continuity was not what it should have been,” he said.

Leading 10-3 after prop Scott Sio scored his first test try, Australia conceded a string of late first half penalties when fullback Israel Folau was sin-binned for a professional foul.
Steyn kicked three for a 12-10 half-time lead, and slotted another penalty and a drop goal in the closing minutes to confirm Loftus Versfeld as a hoodoo ground for the Wallabies.
Australia have played South Africa there seven times and lost all seven, including a 61-22 thrashing 19 years ago.
But captain and hooker Stephen Moore said there was no mental block about Loftus, a Springbok stronghold.

“Absolutely not,” he stressed. “Previous results there had nothing to do with our performance this evening.
“Our shape was a little bit out – the outcome had nothing to do with playing at Loftus. That is peripheral.”
Australia coach Michael Cheika, recently accused of being in charge of the worst Wallabies team of all time by former New Zealand handler Graham Henry, lamented wasted scoring opportunities.
“Had we taken them, especially when we dominated the second half, we would have won the game,” he said.
Winger and long-range goal-kicker Reece Hodge missed three shots at the posts after centre Bernard Foley slotted a penalty and a conversion from shorter distances.


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The Rugby Championship 2016

Allister Coetzee hails skipper Adriaan Strauss and match-winner Morne Steyn after Springbok victory over Wallabies

South Africa captain Adriaan Strauss runs with the ball. Photo: EPA

South Africa’s Morne Steyn kicks a drop goal during the Rugby Championship match between South Africa and Australia, at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, South Africa, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

South African flank Francois Louw (C) tackles Australian hooker and Captain Stephen Moore (R) during the Castle Lager Rugby Championship international test match between South Africa and Australia at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Pretoria. / AFP PHOTO / GIANLUIGI GUERCIA

epa05565634 South Africa's coach, Alistair Coetzee, prior to the Rugby Championship test match between South Africa and Australia at the Loftus Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, 01 October 2016. EPA/KIM LUDBROOK

Mumm’s the word: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika seeks Australia set-piece boost against South Africa

Australia's Dean Mumm runs with the ball during the Bledisloe Cup match between New Zealand. Photo: EPA

New Zealand's Beauden Barrett (R) is tackled by Australia's Reece Hodge during the rugby Test match between New Zealand and Australia at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on August 27, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Marty Melville

Australia stand dejected as the Bledisloe cup is presented to New Zealand during the rugby Test match between New Zealand and Australia at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on August 27, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Marty Melville

New faces: Sefa Naivalu and Tolu Latu in Wallabies squad for South Africa and Argentina clashes

Australia pose with the Puma Cup after winning the Rugby Championship match against Argentina. Photo: EPA

epa05533006 Wallabies coach Michael Cheika looks on prior to the Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the South African Springboks at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, 10 September 2016. EPA/DAVE HUNT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Australia's number eight David Pocock passes the ball during the Rugby Championship match between Australia and South Africa at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on September 10, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Patrick HAMILTON / IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE

Australia's Will Genia (L) scores a try during the Rugby Championship match between Australia and Argentina in Perth on September 17, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Greg Wood / --IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE--

Sigh of relief: Australia beat South Africa to snap six-game losing streak

Bernard Foley (centre) celebrates after scoring. Photos: EPA

epa05533063 Wallabies player Bernard Foley kicks a penalty during the Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the South African Springboks at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, 10 September 2016. EPA/DAVE HUNT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

epa05533084 Semu Kerevi (C) of the Australian Wallabies is tackled by Springboks player Lood de Jager (top) during the Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the South African Springboks at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, 10 September 2016. EPA/DAN PELED AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

epa05533130 Will Genia of the Australian Wallabies passes the ball during the Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the South African Springboks at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, 10 September 2016. EPA/DAN PELED AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Sport

Rugby

South Africa beat Australia 18-10 in Pretoria to snap three-test losing steak in the Rugby Championship


Coach Allister Coetzee hailed skipper Adriaan Strauss and match-winner Morne Steyn after South Africa ground out an 18-10 Rugby Championship victory over Australia in Pretoria on Saturday.
