Wallabies smash sorry Springboks

Australia have atoned for last weekend's shock loss to Samoa with a commanding 39-20 bonus-point victory over South Africa in the Tri Nations opener at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.

It was an impressive display from Robbie Deans' men, who ignored the slippery surface caused by a week of heavy rain to run in five tries to two in a free-flowing encounter.

The home side showed their intent with two long-range tries early in the first half to build a 15-6 half-time lead and added three quick tries at the resumption to open up a 33-point buffer in front of an appreciative 52,788 fans.

To their credit, the Springboks hit back with tries to Chiliboy Ralepelle and skipper John Smit to add some respectability to the scoreline.

But it was not enough to stop the Wallabies from retaining the Mandela Plate for the second straight year.

Star first five-eighth Quade Cooper showed no signs of the stomach bug that prevented him from training on Friday, laying on three of his side's five-pointers in a commanding display.

But there was no shortage of stars for the hosts, with Will Genia, James O'Connor and Digby Ioane all causing havoc out wide, while lock Rob Simmons and flanker David Pocock spearheaded a much improved performance up front.

O'Connor had a good night with the boot, landing six-of-seven and adding a try for a 19-point haul.

The Springboks dominated the opening exchanges but it was the Wallabies who jumped to an early 12-0 lead on the back of two sublime long-range tries.

Tighthead prop Ben Alexander was the unlikely first tryscorer when he completed a scintillating 80m movement in the eighth minute.

Cooper produced a giant right-foot step to beat Morne Steyn and found a charging Kurtley Beale who delivered a floating pass for O'Connor.

The Wallabies scored from the ensuing phase after skipper Rocky Elsom drew two defenders to send Alexander over untouched on the left wing, with O'Connor slotting the extras from out wide.

The hosts were in again 30 seconds later when Genia caught the Springboks napping down the short side.

Genia linked with Ioane on his inside and the powerful winger made full-back Gio Aplon look silly with a left-foot step before completing his 55m journey to the tryline.

Steyn finally opened the visitors' account on the half hour with a 38m penalty goal after Adam Ashley-Cooper was pinged for failing to roll away in the tackle.

O'Connor answered in the 37th minute but Steyn again cut the deficit to nine points at the interval with another long-range attempt after the siren.

The Wallabies increased their lead three minutes in when Cooper darted across field and attracted three defenders before throwing a floating pass at O'Connor's ankles.

The winger showed great skill to make the catch before crawling across the line just in time.

The onslaught continued when hooker Stephen Moore sealed the four-try bonus point on 48 minutes.

And when Ashley-Cooper crashed over in the 55th minute after an audacious tap-pass from Cooper, victory was assured for the hosts.

Australia 39 (Ben Alexander, Digby Ioane, James O'Connnor, Stephen Moore, Adam Ashley-Cooper tries; James O'Connor 2 con, 4 pen.) South Africa 20 (Chiliboy Palepelle, John Smit tries; Patrick Lambie 2 con, Morne Steyn 2 pen).
HT: 15-6.