Hougaard lands a conversion. (Getty Images)

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World Cup underdogs Georgia gave South Africa one of the most uncomfortable evenings in history at Aussie Stadium.

The Springboks, who had been expected to dispose of their lowly opponents by a century of points instead scraped home 46-19.

It was a performance so unconvincing it was scarcely believable as Georgia responded to the wholehearted backing of a 34,000 crowd.

Indeed 55 minutes in, the team which had given England so much trouble in Perth last week were down to 14 men and leading by just 13 points against opponents who nearly did not arrive at the competition because of a lack of funding.

As it was, brave Georgia were denied by two scores from flanker Danie Rossouw plus touchdowns for fly-half Derick Hougaard, number eight Joe van Niekerk, centre Jaque Fourie, lock Bakkies Botha and replacement Schalk Burger who crossed for the final score in the last minute.

All of them are just names on a scoresheet, though, because the real heroes came from the opposition ranks.

Fly-half Paliko Jimsheladze will be able to reflect on a 100% record from his five kicks at goal, while hooker David Dadunashvili will forever be able to boast that he scored a try against the mighty Springboks.

It was not a particularly spectacular effort, as he peeled off a ruck and plunged over from close range moments after Hendro Scholtz had been sin-binned.

But without any question it will go down in Georgian and rugby folklore. For these men at least, there will probably never be another night like it.