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Australia send Boks home after tense encounter

Australia held their nerve in an intense, low scoring quarter final to prevail 11-9 and become the first southern hemisphere team into the semi finals of the World Cup.

James O'Connor's clutch penalty nine minutes from time re-established Australia's lead and sealed a dramatic win that sent defending champions South Africa home.

Danie Rossouw's decision to interfere with Radike Samo's line out jump proved to be the deciding factor in an at times brutal encounter played out with South Africa in the ascendancy but unable to put points on the board despite a major territorial advantage.

The result was the Wallabies fourth successive victory over the Boks and the first time three pool winners had lost their quarter finals at the World Cup.

Skipper James Horwill opened the scoring after he brushed off a tackler and barged over from close range after 11 minutes to register his first Test try in just under two years.

O'Connor failed to add the two but added three more minutes later when Heinrich Brussow played the ball off his feet straight in front.

Collisions came frequently in midfield, though neither side made significant inroads into opposition territory despite the Boks controlling the majority of play.

The Springboks finally broke their first half drought - the longest period they had been kept scoreless at the World Cup - with two minutes remaining as Horwill's hands in the ruck conceded a penalty 30 metres out.

Steyn had a chance to make another dent in the lead seconds later but he missed.

The 8-3 halftime scoreline, belied the staggering territorial advantage the South Africans enjoyed and also completed the lowest quarter final half aggregate score since 1987.

Digby Ioane made the first major attack of the second half but his treatment off the ball after a threatening chip and chase was missed by New Zealand referee Bryce Lawrence.

A reversal of fortunes followed as Jean De Villiers was called for a forward pass while putting young South African fullback Pat Lambie into open space.

Steyn was able to cut the lead to two after Australia drifted offside at the maul. He then took the short-lived lead for South Africa on 59 minutes with a clinical drop goal.

The Wallabies weathered waves of Springboks attack until finally booting their way to safety.

Australia 11 (Tries: Horwill, Pen: O'Connor 2 South Africa 9 (Pen: Steyn 2, DG: Steyn)

Australia 8-3 HT.