Rewarded for his ruthless punt on youth, Robbie Deans and his Wallabies are now eyeing their Tri-Nations finale as a "fantastic opportunity" to confirm they have turned the corner.

Rather than be cock-a-hoop at Saturday night's fine 21-6 upset of South Africa, Australia are highlighting the importance of following up their breakthrough win with a September 19 triumph over the All Blacks.

While the trans-Tasman clash in Wellington will be a Bledisloe Cup dead-rubber it means much, much more for Deans and his developing outfit, while NZ may have the chance to steal the Tri-Nations from the Springboks.

Finally, some confidence, self-belief and composure were evident from the Wallabies at the business end of a tight match at their happy Suncorp Stadium hunting ground.

But they need that to continue against the All Blacks, who have won the last five Tests between the traditional arch-rivals.

Deans denied the two-tries-to-nil shutout of the world champion Springboks - a week after they were smashed in Perth - to end a four-match losing streak was a turning point.

"Without a doubt it will be a fillip for this group, I think that was evident in the last 10 (minutes)," the coach said. "It does make a big difference to a young group.

"We have got a fantastic opportunity left in this competition in Wellington to show there is some permanence around the way we're playing and that's what we'll be looking for."

Rocky Elsom agreed: "It was a great win for us, which is terrific, and the guys are happy with the win but what happens next is what matters.

"You've got to keep your shoulder to the wheel because we play NZ and if we give them anything they'll tear us to bits."

Among the pleasing aspects of Australia's first Tri-Nations win of the year were the performances of the Wallabies' generation next.

Halfback Will Genia, 21, flanker David Pocock, 21, and fullback James O'Connor, 19, responded to Elsom's pre-match call for the team's newest members to stand up to be among Australia's best on the night.

As a glimpse into the future, the display was highly promising as Deans charts a course to the 2011 World Cup.

The only sour notes were rib injuries to powerhouse hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau and winger Lachie Turner, putting them in doubt for the trip to Wellington.

Turner's blow came when Genia expertly darted from the ruck, stepped two Boks and then held up a lovely pass for the winger for a dash to the corner which ended with an amazing try-saving lunge by Bryan Habana.

The five-pointer was denied by the television match official, among three he knocked back, including one by Genia who took a quick tap from in front of the posts and got within inches of grounding the ball.

True to lock Mark Chisholm's bold prophecy, the fitter Wallabies finished well over the top of labouring South Africa in the second half as the game was played out in Springbok territory.

Springbok leaders John Smit and Victor Matfield were left to scratch their heads at South Africa's winless record against Australia in Brisbane since 1971, which includes going tryless in the past four Suncorp Stadium encounters.

Matfield admitted the Queensland humidity took its toll on the Boks but pointed to the superior Australian kicking game as the major difference between the sides.

South Africa can still claim the Tri-Nations crown with a victory or draw against NZ in Hamilton on Saturday.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP