It was vital for South Africa to win today’s fixture against Samoa, both for them to regain their reputation within the rugby world, but also regain pride for themselves. Their shocking loss to Japan last weekend meant they were on the search for their first win of the 2015 World Cup, but Samoa equally hoped to make it two from two and ruin another big occasion for the Boks.
Samoa gave away their first penalty thirty seconds into the match, thanks to Filo Paulo going in off his feet. Handre Pollard’s bullet between the posts gave the Boks their first three points. From the restart, they were able to show their power in the rolling maul, putting to bed any concerns from last weekend, with enormous strength and efficiency in the drive. A massive tackle by TJ Ioane led to a Boks knock on and scrum for Samoa. A resulting penalty for Samoa gave Michael Stanley chance at the posts, 3-3 with nine minutes on the clock. Minutes later, Samoa won a scrum on half way line, and Stanley was able to slot the ball perfectly for a further three points.
The first try of the match came from JP Pietersen, whose outstanding pacey run from the half way left even the quickest of Samoan wingers far behind. He galloped over the try line to the pleasure of a heavily South African pebbled crowd, making it 8-6 as Pollard’s conversion kick skimmed the outside of the posts.
With the board reading 11-6, it seemed like South Africa were leaving behind the ghosts of last weekend and reforming their image of a dominant and steadfast side. A cross-field kick, searching for Pietersen, flew too long and into touch. However, as it was played under advantage to the Springboks, they took the penalty and earned another three points to make it 14-6.
A controversial ‘no try’ claim from referee Wayne Barnes from South Africa’s attempts to cross the line could have disrupted their game, but it was Samoa who began to panic, and a series of reckless passing and slippery ball handling ensued. Barnes told Fourie De Preez “don’t start screaming at me, you’re better than that” as South Africa mounted the intensity on Samoa and pushed them further back into their 22. The Boks earned themselves a penalty just before half time, but soon conceded another when the TMO decided Piertersen had obstructed Alesana Tuilagi in his chip and chase attempt. A long shot for Stanley; it wasn’t surprising that the ball went wide and the whistle for half time went at 17-6.
The Springboks came out a little rusty for the second half, collapsing the scrum and scrambling passes between themselves in an attempt to get to the try line. A smouldering Samoan drive from the lineout pushed South Africa into their own territory, but they soon ran the ball up field and gave the Islanders a taste of their own medicine. A weighty Boks rolling maul was followed by fluid passes and quick feet for Pietersen to go over again, and with a successful conversion the score was now 24-6.
Amongst a deluge of replacements, Victor Matfield received the loudest of cheers from the crowd, and both sides looked to benefit from fresh pairs of legs. Resets of a scrum on the half way line warmed the substitutes up nicely, and as play finally got into full-flow again, South Africa were able to display their running ability. Habana came close to a try that followed an impressive phase of slick hands. Nevertheless, they looked determined to benefit from their efforts, and Schalk Burger crashed over the line for their third try, clearly intent on avenging the Japanese embarrassment.
The Samoans answered back to their 29-6 trail with Tusi Pisi sprinting over the line. Yet, a call from assistant referee JP Doyle for a TMO highlighted a forward pass leading up to the try, and subsequently it was disallowed. As Logo’vii Mulipola (who pulled out injured for Samoa just before the tournament began) watched his fellow countrymen on field, the Islanders began to struggle against their counterparts as they failed to match the speed and skill of the Springboks’ backs. A lineout five metres from the try line saw South Africa once again unleash their power in a maul, forcing Schalk Brits to tumble over and confirm a bonus point for the former World Cup champions. At 72 minutes there was still time for another try, and with 34-6 on the board, it was obvious that the Boks wanted to extend this more than comfortable lead. Their forceful style of play was tiring the Samoans.
The clock ticked down and Pietersen indeed landed another try off the back of a neat shifting through the hands. The missed conversion didn’t matter, for the game was already won at 39-6. The time ran into red as a pitch invader disrupted play, but with Barnes admitting “we can’t finish a game in this way”, a scrum won by the Springboks amounted to Habana finally crossing the line for their sixth. Final score 46-6, it was evident that the Boks were revived and were playing to amend last weekends events.
Handre Pollard was awarded Man of the Match for his midfield management and display of kicking skills. A crowd of almost 40,000 were given plenty to feast upon: tries, scrums and South Africa’s backlash that Samoa simply couldn’t handle. With a week to rest and reform ahead of their next fixtures, both sides will be looking to work on certain parts of their game. Samoa struggled with the Springboks’ high balls, although they tended to give the Boks a challenge in the scrum. South Africa will play Scotland next weekend, whilst Samoa will face Japan on 3rd October.
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