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Live Commentary: Rugby World Cup - South Africa vs. Australia

Tri-Nations giants South Africa and Australia face off in this Rugby World Cup quarter-final.

Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of this Rugby World Cup quarter-final between Tri-nations giants South Africa and Australia. The Springboks come into this match with a perfect Pool stage record, despite narrowly beating Wales by just one point. Australia, however, suffered a shock defeat to Ireland in their Pool campaign, but they enter this clash as favourites. Who will triumph in today's battle of the Southern Hemisphere superpowers? Follow along with the action below:

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01min: Here we go! It's a sunny evening in Wellington and The Springboks have won the toss.

02min: It's all calm and collected at the moment, both teams are testing the water.

03min: A massive scrum from South Africa just into the Australian half. Referee Bryce Lawrence calls to reset.

04min: Australia manage to run the ball out of their own 22 before the boot of Quade Cooper hands the Springboks another chance to attack.

06min: Both teams engaging in aerial ping-pong in the battle for territory.

08min: The Springboks run the ball into the Australian 22, but bounce off the Aussie defensive line before knocking on.

10min: TRY! Captain James Horwill slides through two defenders and gets over the line. James O'Connor can't manage the conversion. It's South Africa 0-5 Australia.

13min: The Wallabies break the Springboks defence again with a Kurtley Beale run. They come close but an offload goes to hooker Stephen Moore and he doesn't have the pace to beat the last Springboks man.

17min: Messy breakdown play goes in favour of Australia, who are handed a penalty in the Springboks 22. It's an easy kick for O'Connor. South Africa 0-8 Australia.

19min: The Springboks have a five-metre scrum, but Brussow is down and needs some treatment. Worrying scenes for South Africa as the flanker limps off. He is replaced by Francois Louw.

20min: South Africa get inches from the Wallabies try-line, but the ball is turned over on the floor. Australia clear.

23min: More kicking. This one may be won in the air.

25min: The Wallabies are looking very dangerous at the breakdown. Turn-overs coming thick and fast.

27min: Penalty to the Springboks on the half-way line. Desperate for points, they go for the kick. Morne Steyn drifts it wide.

31min: Du Plessis receives some treatment before packing down for a scrum in the Wallabies half.

32min: Springboks go for the line with a penalty advantage. The Australian defence is like a wall, however, and the Boks can't break it.

36min: The Boks sneak a line-out in the Wallabies 22 but spill the ball for a scrum.

37min: Bryan Habana runs head first into Radike Samo. Ouch.

38min: South Africa are working hard and are rewarded with a penalty. It's a straightforward kick for Steyn. South Africa 3-8 Australia.

40min: Another penalty for the Boks on the half-way line. They take a kick but miss.

40min: HALF-TIME. It's too close to call at the moment. The Boks look more hungry for points, but the Australian defence has been astonishing.

41min: SECOND HALF UNDERWAY. It's a battle on the half-way line as both teams struggle to set the pace.

43min: The Wallabies break from a ruck and force a rush defence from the Springboks before knocking on in the Boks' 22.

45min: NO TRY! The Boks go over but referee Bryce Lawrence calls a forward pass. Defensive scrum for the Wallabies in their own 22.

48min: South Africa break again and Habana looks to be away, but the ref again calls a forward pass. It's a dodgy call.

50min: Another massive scrum from South Africa forces a penalty. They kick for touch.

52min: Scrum to the Boks on the Wallabies 22 line. Spies breaks from the back but is bundled into touch.

53min: Pat McCabe leaves the field with a bloody nose.

54min: Penalty for South Africa. Steyn puts it between the posts with ease. It's South Africa 6-8 Australia.

56min: Bismarck du Plessis charges down a Quade Cooper re-start to force a scramble in the Australian 22. The Boks set up to go through the phases, but an infringement on the floor gives Australia a penalty. Cooper will thank his lucky stars.

59min: DROP GOAL! A brilliant Steyn drop goal from deep puts the Boks ahead by a point. South Africa 9-8 Australia.

63min: Cooper not having the best of games. He slices a clearance kick into touch from his own 22.

65min: South Africa looking hungry for a try. They challenge the Australian line, but the Wallabies are too good at the breakdown and turn the ball over. A charge-down leads to a defensive scrum.

67min: South Africa really pushing now. A drop goal attempt from Pat Lambie goes wide.

69min: Australia looking very panicky. They're struggling to get out of their own half.

70min: Samo impeded at the line-out. Penalty awarded to Australia. O'Connor makes the kick and Australia re-take the lead to set up a tense final 10 minutes. South Africa 9-11 Australia.

74min: South Africa break from a scrum but spill the ball twice.

77min: Scrum to the Wallabies in the South African half. They will take their time. The Aussie fans are singing already.

79min: The Boks creep into the Australian half. Time's nearly up. They are going through the phases in search of a penalty or drop goal attempt. They knock-on and hand the Wallabies a scrum. It's as good as over for the Springboks.

80min: No defending World Cup champion has ever retained the cup, and that's not going to change this year. South Africa are out and the Wallabies progress to face either New Zealand or Argentina in the semi-finals. South Africa 9-11 Australia.

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Written by
Tom Williams
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