Four-try Nokwe leads Springboks rout

(CNN) -- Jongi Nokwe scored four tries as world champions South Africa answered their critics with a 53-8 rout of Australia in the tri-nations match in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The Springboks came into their last game of the tournament after three successive defeats and rose to the occasion on the ground where they achieved their first World Cup triumph in 1995.

Coach Peter de Villers and his players had come in for some harsh words after their recent losses, 19-0 to New Zealand and 27-15 to Australia last week.

The South Africans responded with an eight-try display against a Wallabies side who can still win the tri-nations when they meet the All Blacks in Brisbane on September 13.

Matt Giteau's penalty put the Wallabies ahead in the sixth minute but they were then cut to pieces as the Springboks rattled up 27 points without reply before the break.

Andries Bekker sparked the scoring spree with a 10th minute try converted by Butch James.

Three minutes later Nokwe, playing only his third international, went over in the corner. After 26 minutes he snapped up a second try and then completed a hat-trick. James converted one and landed a penalty.

James Horwill and Lote Tuqiri missed chances for the Wallabies, who were soon on the receiving end in the second period.

Center Adrian Jacobs scythed through the Australian defense for South Africa's fifth try and Nokwe grabbed his fourth before going off injured.

Replacement Drew Mitchell notched a welcome try for Australia but Ruan Pienaar and Odwa Ndungane went over for further Springbok tries.

Butch James added a third conversion and Percy Montgomery landed two in the second half.

South Africa fullback Percy Montgomery announced his retirement from international rugby after the match.

Montgomery, who last October helped the Springboks to their second World Cup title in France with victory over England, won his 100th Test cap at his former home ground, Newlands in Cape Town, two weeks ago.

He has totaled 102 Tests for South Africa and holds every South African kicking points scoring record.