South Africa home in a bruising encounter...

[frontrow]

Springboks smash Samoa
Story by Sportal for the ARU
Monday, September 10, 2007 - 05:46 AM (AEST)

PA SPort



South Africa flexed their muscles for a World Cup showdown with England by smashing Samoa in impressive fashion at Parc des Princes.

The Pool A favourites, who meet England in Paris next Friday night, recovered from a hesitant start to score 50 unanswered points.

Wing Bryan Habana showcased his mesmeric finishing quality by claiming four high-class tries, while full-back Percy Montgomery weighed in with 29 points from a try double, three penalties and five conversions.

Centre Jaque Fourie and wing JP Pietersen also touched down, while Samoa had to content themselves with a Gavin Williams try that he also converted.

Samoan substitute Brian Lima set a World Cup record when he appeared midway through the second period - it was his fifth successive tournament - but he departed just three minutes later after being dazed in a midfield collision.

Eight-try South Africa had already spoilt his party, and compared with England's stuttering display in seeing off a limited USA side in Lens yesterday, the Springboks were ruthless at key moments of a punishing contest.

Unlike England, they were able to move through the gears with consummate ease, scoring three tries in nine minutes during the third quarter to end the game as a contest.

England knew they had a mountain to climb at Stade de France in five days' time, but it appears to be of Himalayan proportions.

Three early Montgomery penalties eased South Africa into the contest, and despite a lively spell of Samoan pressure that culminated in Williams slicing through their defence, the Springboks were never seriously threatened afterwards.

Substitute Francois Steyn's appearance instead of arm injury victim Jean De Villiers contributed greatly towards opening up the Samoan defence.

Steyn enthused confidence in those players around him, notably midfield partner Fourie, and despite Samoa coach Michael Jones ringing changes off the bench, his team spent the second period in prolonged defensive mode.

England should be too organised for the Samoans in Nantes on September 22, but South Africa are next on their World Cup agenda, with current evidence suggesting they will finish a distant second-best.

Rugby Heaven...

Veteran South Africa full-back Percy Montgomery made up for missing the 2003 World Cup through suspension as he inspired his side to a 59-7 victory over a valiant Samoa here on Sunday in their World Cup clash at the Parc des Princes as he scored 29 points.

The dashing 33-year-old man of the match - who received a two year ban in 2003 for abusing a touch judge - scored two tries amongst his points while star wing Bryan Habana grabbed four and Jaque Fourie and JP Pietersen one apiece.

It was an commanding way to warm-up for Friday's match against reigning champions England, unimpressive in a 28-10 victory against the United States.

Samoa's highlight came with a first-half try from Gavin Williams and the appearance in a record fifth World Cup for Brian Lima, on as a replacement.

Sadly that lasted all of four minutes as he exited due to a typical no-holds barred tackle.

The Springboks, 1995 world champions on home soil, saw Montgomery kick two early penalties, reward for the team's early pressure which led to Samoa errors in defence.

But in the midst of a bruising encounter between two teams renowned for their physicality, referee Paul Honiss brought the two captains together to tell them to calm things down.

But soon afterwards South African back-row forward Schalk Burger went dangerously high on Samoa scrum-half Junior Poluleuligaga as they contested the ball and and was extremely fortunate to stay on the pitch.

Montgomery was merciless with the boot and landed a huge penalty from just inside the Samoan half to make it 9-0.

The Samoans did get some reward for their tireless efforts as a brilliant short pass by Jerry Meafou released Williams, who broke the Springbok line to touch down. Williams converted his own try to make it 9-7.

Habana though was in shortly before half-time, cutting in from the left wing on a mazy run to outwit the Samoan defence.

And any thoughts of an upset disappeared on the stroke of the break as a swift Springbok passing move saw Montgomery go over in the corner and then land the conversion.

The result was put beyond doubt in the 47th minute, after Samoa had a try disallowed for offside, when Fourie ran the ball in with Montgomery converting.

Montgomery, Habana, Pietersen then all crossed late on as the Springboks finished in dominating style.

SOUTH AFRICA 59 (Bryan Habana 4, Percy Montgomery 2, Jaque Fourie, JP Pietersen tries; Percy Montgomery 3 pens, 5 cons) bt SAMOA 7 (Gavin Williams try, con).

[Goldmember]

Brian Lima is a one hit wonder.

[Sagerian]

Ahh Brian Lima, what a deadset legend you are. Come on the field huffing and puffing, pointing out your opposite number, then get knocked out on your first tackle...

A true RWC moment there...

[Jess]

16 years ago he made his debut!

What a punisher.

[Burgs]

Who "smashed" who ???
A convincing win on the scoreboard, but that was the only place for mine.
Boks were forced away from their bully boy tactics by a more dominating group and were prepared to chance their arm to avoid the big hits.
I think Honiss generally had a good match but he was only ever seeing Samoan fault in the breakdown and it was definitely happening on both sides.
Burger remains a menace and deserved all he got for his dirty tactics.

[frontrow]

Burger is high on my list of "all time worst sportsman" award....Total knob head....

[Sagerian]

He'd have a job catching up with Barry and Botha at this stage.. Hmm, wonder what the common link with those 3 are.

[frontrow]

They are all knob heads....
alright, the letter b, but i still stand by my original statement that they are knob heads...

[Sagerian]

...or their nation of origin.

[JediKnight]

Well done Hbana (he's obviously taken on board our little breakfast chat in Canberra!!!) & Percy.

[goony]

habana is such an awesome player, and boy does he have some wheels!!!

[Jehna]

habana is such an awesome player, and boy does he have some wheels!!!

You're not wrong there....he def has some pace up that side line. He'll be one to watch out for.

Francois Steyn also played beautifully. For such a you guy he knows how to handle the pressure.

Felt a little sorry for the Samoans. Not sure about that disallowed try early in the second half? The commentators were claiming it was a move out of NZ so the ref would have made a decision early on as to when a player is off side or not......but it looked fine to me. I think that could have made a little difference to their spirit. Although all due credit to them, they tired in that second but they never gave up.

The Boks looked scarily in form and together. You're right Burgs, they did stop with their bullying tactics but the problem was they seemed to actually be putting into place some set pieces and rhythm....eddie does seem to be having an impact. I'd rather they bash people up...as least they get penalised then...though at least we can prepare strategically against a game plan... hmm...

[Shaun]

Brian Lima should have been carded fot that hit. Frontrow are you serious when saying Burger is the worst sportsmen of all time? Did you not see at every breakdown Samoans playing him off the ball. He did one thng wrong and that was taking the man in the air.

[frontrow]

I believe he is a bad sportsman, not based solely on this game, but in general.... He is a brilliant player granted, just resorts to stupidity too often, just remember it is only my opinion mate...

[Burgs]

Pull off the glasses Shaun, the Samoans were retaliating to Springbok behaviour on almost every occasion and who is at the bottom of virtually every ruck?
One niggly, cheating Burger.
You will lose a lot of cred if you try and portray Burger to us as some sweet little innocent angel who was wronged!!!
The Samoans need to learn not to retaliate but that's like saying the Springboks need to learn not to eye gouge or the Italians need to learn not to run for the hills...