KEY POINTS:
LONDON - South Africa's wonderful year ended in disappointment on Saturday as the world champions were humbled 22-5 by Barbarians in a hugely entertaining non-cap game at Twickenham.
The Springboks, featuring just five of the side who won the World Cup final six weeks ago, were never able to find the form that swept them past Wales last week as the famous invitational team turned on the style.
Tries by Wallaby first five-eighths Matt Giteau, Wales flanker Martyn Williams and Australia back rower Rocky Elsom were a fair reward for their enterprise and a reminder to the rugby authorities that the black-and-white hoops remain a popular part of the game in an ever-more-crowded calendar.
It was the last game in charge for South Africa coach Jake White and a last senior appearance for England back Jason Robinson.
"Absolutely brilliant, you can tell by the smiles on the guys' faces what it means," Robinson told Sky Sports.
"That first half especially was great and in the second half we kept them out and kept them out," added Robinson, who went off to a standing ovation 12 minutes from the end.
The Barbarians turned on the style from the start, just as the near-60,000 crowd had been hoping they would.
Giteau got the first try after 18 minutes in a 70-metre counter-attack after Joe Rokocoko had produced a wonderful tackle to deny Springbok number eight Ryan Kankowski a metre short of the line at the other end.
Barend Pieterse, a late call-up for Schalk Burger in the Springbok back row, plopped over after his side reverted to forward pressure but it was a rare visit beyond the 22 for the world champions, who looked weary and short of inspiration after a gruelling 12 months.
The Barbarians looked dangerous whenever they attacked but blew two or three good situations before Martyn Williams made the most of a fizzing Robinson break to score their second try for a 15-5 halftime lead.
Elsom stretched that to a remarkable 22-5 within two minutes of the restart with a bullocking 50-metre run and the Springboks suddenly had a mountain to climb.
A downpour then made ball-handling difficult and South Africa tried desperately to force their way back in through their forwards.
The Barbarians, though, dug deep and defended with the sort of dedication that the Springboks themselves had shown as they ground their way to the world title in France.
- REUTERS
