Springboks: Herschel Jantjies scores on debut to give SA the lead [video]
Early tries from debutant Herschel Jantjies and Lood de Jager helped the Springboks establish the lead against a game Wallabies outfit at Ellis Park.
Herschel Jantjies has made a dream start to his debut by being on hand to finish off a neat Springbok backline move giving the hosts the lead in their Rugby Championship opener against the Wallabies.
After ten minutes of a tough Test match tussle, the Springboks crafted a bit of space out wide for flyer Sbu Nkosi with quick hands. The Young scrumhalf showed great pace and awareness to get himself in position to receive the pass and jog in to score under the posts.
Elton Jantjies converted the try to give the Springboks a 7-0 lead after 12 minutes of play against Australia at Ellis Park.
Australia thought they had taken the lead moments after Bernard Foley had put the visitors on the board with a penalty but a forward pass in the build-up saw the TMO rule no try.
The Springboks were reduced to 14 men when Andre Esterhuizen was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle chasing his own kick ahead.
Jantjies grabbing his Springboks chance
Scrumhalf Jantjies is looking to make the most of the Springboks rotation policy in a bid to win a place in the World Cup squad.
Competition among the halfbacks is fierce but Faf de Klerk is part of a group that has already travelled to New Zealand to prepare for next week’s clash with the All Blacks.
Former Sharks halfback Cobus Reinach is on the bench and could get on for his first Test since his decision to play his rugby in the English Premiership.
Lood de Jager bashed his way over from point to give the Springboks a 14-3 advantage in the first half.
Australia kept in touch with the Boks though through Dane Haylett-Petty, who had plenty to do to finish of a ranging Wallabies attack that stretched an organized South African defence
.Nkosi and Jantjies proved to be the Springboks heroes as the home side put some distance between themselves and the Wallabies. Nkosi crossed for the first score of the second half before Jantjies was alive to another great opportunity, sniping down the blindside to make the Aussies look a little foolish.
Jantjies already has Springboks fans purring with a terrific introduction to the international stage.
Jantjies was denied the opportunity to earn a debut hat-trick but when substituted rightfully had an enormous grin plastered on his dial.
The Wallabies hit back through Foley but with time running out Reinach sniped through for a try on his international return to seal a bonus-point win for the Boks.
