The Bloemfontein Legend of Beale

A lot of talk surrounding the build up towards the Rugby Championship fixture set to take place in Pretoria this weekend (08 July), has been around the lack of sucess the Wallabies have endured against the Springboks at Loftus Versveld Stadium. Affectionately known as "The Kraal", Loftus is also home to one of South Africa's most succesful teams, The Blue Bulls.

However, until 13 years ago the entire Highveld (high altitude) region in South Africa proved to be nightmare for the Aussies. It was on one early spring evening in Bloemfoentein in the year 2010, where Australian superstar and utility back Kurtley Beale became a hero in Wallabies folklore. After a handsome 31-6 going into the half, the visitors were cruisng through the game as they had South Africa against the ropes. However, any rugby fan knows better than to ever count out the ever dangerous Springboks, who at the time (as they are now) world champions.

Prop Gurthro Steenkamp and centre Jean de Villiers scored converted tries, while two penalty goals by Morne Steyn put the Springboks 33-31 ahead midway through the second half.

The lead would change three times in a frantic finish before Beale, with his only kick at goal in the match, calmly booted the ball over the posts, from near the right touchline, just inside the South Africa half. This sent the rugby world into frenzy as the Springboks suffered defeat for the first time, against Australia at Free State Stadium.

The pain of the loss was made only the more painful by a last place finish in the the 'three team' Tri-Nations Tournament having won the tournament the previous year. If that was enough, then Australian Captain Rocky Elsom, lifted the Mandela Plate (a trophy played for by the Springboks and Wallabies) in front of a stunned Free State crowd.

It is important to note that history was meant to be re-written, and records were meant to be broken. As a result, the long standing record at Loftus Versveld may stand the test of time after fulltime on Saturday, or may be another victim in the ever dynamic historical pattern that is test rugby. Nonetheless, a fixture between South Africa and Australia is always one to look forward to.