Stephen Larkham shook off a hesitant start to lead the Wallabies to 30-26 win over South Africa at Subiaco Oval in Perth.

The win, in George Gregan's 100th Test match, ended South Africa's dominance over Australia at this ground. The Springboks hadn't lost to the Wallabies in two previous matches in Perth and threatened to extend that winning sequence when they led 26-23 late in the match.

But Larkham and former South African Clyde Rathbone combined for the winning try in the 71st minute.

The result keeps alive Australia's hopes of winning the Tri Nations crown. By scoring four tries, the Wallabies earned a bonus point and now sit on five points after two games compared to New Zealand's eight points.

Man of the match Larkham was coming off a disastrous game in Australia's opening Tri Nations loss to New Zealand in Wellington and he started this game looking like he still had a hangover from that match.

He was patchy in the first half and left his team on the back foot when he gave away an intercept pass that allowed South Africa to lead 16-7 midway through the first half.

But as the game went on he grew in confidence and scored a try of his own before setting up two others.

Critically he started to make South Africa pay the price for their rushing defence, which was curtailing the Wallabies' attacking options out wide.

No other player in world rugby is as elusive as Larkham when it comes to running through a defensive line and he used all his silky running to create the win for Australia.

Captain Gregan said his team took a while to find their rhythm after the rough start.

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