You are in > manchester.com  > News > Baa-Baas upset Springboks

Rugby Union

Baa-Baas upset Springboks

01/12/2007

The Barbarians cruised to a 22-5 win over a South Africa at Twickenham although the Springbok side was shorn of a host of World Cup stars.

The Baa-Baas took advantage of their oppoenents' makeshift line-up to assert their authority early on.

With just three minutes on the clock South Africa number eight Ryan Kankowski was penalised for straying offside at a ruck and Australian fly-half Matt Giteau duly slotted over the first points of the day.

Some concerted pressure followed from the world champions with Kankowski only denied by some scrambling defence from winger Joe Rokocoko, but the Baa-Baas earned themselves some respite in typically thrilling fashion.

A loose pass from Bryan Habana just five yards from his opponents' line saw Ma'a Nonu lead a charge back downfield.

The Springboks desperately tried to stem the flow of the counter-attack but a wonderful passage of play culminated in Giteau taking a pass from Rokocoko and plunging over for a memorable score.

On 35 minutes a try from Barend Pieterse cut the deficit to 8-5, but a barrelling run from Welsh flanker Martyn Williams on the brink of half-time ensured the invitational side nursed a 15-5 lead through the interval.

An absorbing contest took another turn just a minute after the restart as the Barbarians returned an aimless punt downfield from Francois Steyn with interest.

Flanker Rocky Elsom stretched out to dot down as covering South African defenders were carried over the line by the Australian's momentum.

Trailing by 22-5 the Springboks struggled to find an attacking edge to get them back into the game as an ambitious drop-goal attempt from Steyn fell well short of the posts.

Persistent rain reduced both side's willingness to run the ball in the closing stages and although the Springboks spent much of the final quarter camped on the Barbarians' line they could not find a way through the strong tackling.