Kurtley Beale emerged as a hero once again in South Africa, dragging himself out of his sick bed to inspire Australia to a memorable rugby Test victory in Durban.

Proud coach Robbie Deans revealed post-match that he almost had to reshuffle his backline after his fullback ace awoke on Saturday with gastro and in grave doubt for the pivotal Tri Nations encounter.

But a year after slotting a monster penalty goal after the siren to give Australia their first win on the South African high veldt since 1963, Beale bravely backed up to help the Wallabies secure a stirring 14-9 triumph at Kings Park.

"First thing this morning it was touch and go," Deans said. "We had to nurse him through, but he recovered through the afternoon.

"He's a tough kid."

Victory gave the Wallabies back-to-back wins in South Africa for the first time in 48 years, restored confidence ahead of next month's Rugby World Cup and set the stage for a likely tournament-deciding showdown with the All Blacks in Brisbane in two weeks.

But it was the resilient manner of the comeback win, typified by Beale's courage, that most satisfied Deans.

After a ragged 30-14 loss to New Zealand in Auckland the previous weekend, the Wallabies endured a draining 26-hour journey to Durban and were confronted by the most experienced Springboks side in history.

With 11 of their 2007 World Cup winners back on deck, the Boks boasted 810 Test caps and led 6-0 at halftime after enjoying a mountain of possession and territory, due largely to a lopsided penalty count.

But the Wallabies refused to yield, tackling their hearts out to keep the Boks tryless and getting home on the back of outstanding centre Pat McCabe's maiden Test try in the 48th minute and three crucial penalty goals from winger James O'Connor.

"It would have been easy for the team to go into decline, particularly after their recent experience," Deans said.

"The important thing was, with the amount of pressure, the circumstance and our recent history, there was the potential for them to fragment.

"But they didn't, so that's a good piece of growth."

After his forgettable kicking night at Eden Park, 21-year-old O'Connor atoned brilliantly, a crucial 38-metre goal in the wind and rain putting the Wallabies ahead 11-9 with only 14 minutes remaining.

"James got rid of his demons and got some good rhythm back into his kicking, which is good," Deans said.

After bearing the brunt of the Bledisloe Cup loss, five-eighth Quade Cooper and flanker and captain Rocky Elsom silenced their critics.

Cooper played with poise and, along with cool halfback Will Genia, had a fine kicking game to have the Springboks under pressure for most of the second half.

Elsom had a rousing game and only hooker Stephen Moore - the official man of the match - and inspirational lock James Horwill eclipsed him in an awesome display from the Wallabies pack.

Australia's gritty win soured veteran Springboks captain John Smit's 105th and last Test in his home city.

But it was the big away scalp the Wallabies craved before heading to New Zealand for the RWC tournament.

"It's back-to-back wins in Durban for us. We lost in Pretoria (last year), but we played really well and we're getting used to playing well away from home now," Elsom said.

"No-one is naive enough to think we've done enough. There's more work to do, but we're happy with that.

"There were a lot of times where it could have gone either way there, but at different times different guys stood up and it was a very pleasing team effort."

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