Morne Steyn scored 24 points yesterday to lead South Africa to a 29-17 win over Australia for its third straight victory in the Tri-Nations.

The fly half kicked seven penalties and a drop goal at Newlands as the Springboks failed to concede a bonus point for the third game despite Australia outscoring them two tries to one.

South Africa lead the standings with 12 points, eight more than New Zealand. Australia have one point but have played a game less.

Springbok captain John Smit acknowledged his team is playing controlled rugby but said it can also play expansively.

Dominated in all phases

"We try to be clinical in what we do, but the time will come to run it and we will try and do that clinically," he said.

The Springboks never looked in any danger of defeat as they dominated in all phases of play, but especially the line-outs where they pinched nine of Australia's throws.

South Africa also forced 19 turnovers, conceding only eight, and Australia gave away 14 penalties to South Africa's nine.

Three Wallabies spent time in the sin bin. Flankers Richard Brown and George Smith for professional fouls, and fly-half Matt Giteau for an illegal challenge on Springbok scrumhalf Fourie du Preez.

"You can't win with just 13 players on the field, but we played a very good side tonight," Smith said.

The Wallabies conceded only three points while Brown and Giteau were off, but Steyn's almost flawless kicking kept South Africa in control throughout.

Australia scored first with a well-worked move off an early line-out. Smith took the ball at fly half and manufactured an overlap for Adam Ashley-Cooper to go over in the corner.

"We'd rather deal with that kind of thing early on, so we can work our way back into things," Smit said.

Three penalties

Steyn hit back with three penalties in five minutes, but the Wallabies regained the lead with a left-footed drop goal from Berrick Barnes.

The Springbok forwards kept up the pressure at the breakdown, and Steyn converted that into points with another penalty and a drop goal before the hosts scored a try.