South Africa's Rugby World Cup defence has ended thanks to an 11-9 defeat to Australia.
The holders outperformed the Tri-Nations champions in terms of possession and territory in Wellington, but Australia defended bravely and powerfully, and scored the only try of the game.
South Africa started well and looked dangerous early on, but fell behind in the 11th minute after Schalk Burger had lost control of the ball after a strong hit from Radike Semo. Pat McCabe took possession and passed to James Horwill, who crashed over the line.
O'Connor missed the conversion, perhaps partly because JP Pietersen ran across his line prior to the kick, but the Aussie wing booted a penalty not long afterwards, after the Boks had infringed following a 60-yard break from Kurtley Beale.
At the Aussies’ end, Burger was stopped just short of the line and then had the ball stripped from his grasp, as the Springboks looked to respond immediately.
Morne Steyn missed a chance to get South Africa on the board from a 26th minute penalty, while the Boks turned down another chance to line-up a shot at goal in favour of an attempted push for the line, but Steyn eventually netted three points for his side after Australia had gotten at the wrong side at the breakdown.
A highly physical half came to an end with Australia 8-3 in front.
Following a blistering opening to the second half, Jean de Villiers broke free and fed full-back Patrick Lambie, who thought that he had scored. The try, however, was ruled out for de Villiers' forward pass.
South Africa had taken complete control in the battle of the forwards by the time that Steyn put two points between the sides with a penalty 15 minutes into the second period.
Australia survived further pressure from the Springboks, who had the chance to set Steyn up for a drop goal but decided against that option, as the game edged towards its final quarter.
However, just before the hour-mark, Steyn did get the opportunity to drop and shoot, and did so successfully to push South Africa ahead for the first time.
Following some extraordinary action in front of the Australian posts, which saw both sides relinquish possession and several huge hits, Lambie narrowly missed a long-range drop-goal attempt.
Crucially, with just under 10 minutes remaining, Danie Rossouw and Victor Matfield contributed as South Africa were penalised in the line-out, allowing O'Connor to kick Australia ahead.
The Springboks' final opportunity to run towards the Australia line ended with a knock-on, and Will Genia eventually took possession from the scrum to boot the ball into touch.