South Africa v Australia ,games won and lost so far

Australia and South Africa, who meet in the fourth round of the Tri-nations at Perth on Saturday, have played each other 59 times, with the Springboks winning 37 and the Wallabies 21. One match was drawn.

Biggest wins: South Africa 61-22 in 1997 Australia 32-6 in 1999

Recent results: Year Venue Result 2000 Melbourne Australia won 44-23 2000 Sydney Australia won 26-6 2000 Durban Australia won 19-18 2001 Pretoria South Africa won 20-15 2001 Perth Drawn 14-14 2002 Brisbane Australia won 38-27 2002 Johannesburg South Africa won 33-31 2003 Cape Town South Africa won 26-22 2003 Brisbane Australia won 29-9 2004 Perth Australia won 30-26 2004 Durban South Africa won 23-19 2005 Sydney Australia won 30-12 2005 Johannesburg South Africa won 33-20 2005 Pretoria South Africa won 22-16

Last match: July 30, 2005, Pretoria

South Africa 22 Australia 16 (halftime 6-13)

A penalty and a drop goal in the last seven minutes helped South Africa begin the defence of their Tri-nations title with a six-point win over Australia at Loftus Versfeld.

Slick handling by the South African backs gave them a try 11 minutes into the second half when winger Bryan Habana got the ball away in the tackle and fullback Percy Montgomery made a half-break to send wing Breyton Paulse speeding down the right touchline.

Montgomery converted and the Springboks had drawn level at 13-13 after trailing 13-6 at halftime.

Flanker George Smith dived over for Australia's only try a minute before the break after a series of inside passes had cracked open the defence.

With seven minutes remaining, replacement scrumhalf Ricky Januarie snapped up a loose ball after a Paulse up-and-under and loose forward Joe van Niekerk's charge drew a penalty at the ruck.

Montgomery booted a difficult kick 10 metres in from touch before flyhalf Andre Pretorius made it 22-16 with a drop goal in the final minute.

Montgomery finished with three penalties, a conversion and a first-half drop goal while centre Matt Giteau landed three penalties and a conversion for Australia.