Springboks Win but Struggle to Contain Ferocious Pacific Islanders
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September 30, 2011 TheFreshOutlook  |
South Africa move into quarter-finals after beating Samoa 13-5 in a brutal encounter at the North Harbour Stadium this morning.
The Springboks managed to beat Samoa 13-5 on Friday morning but this was no easy feat as the Pacific Islanders used the fast-paced brute force that they are known for to take the game to South Africans.
The Samoans needed at least a losing bonus point to keep their World Cup dreams alive but this proved too much against the reigning World Champions.
Both teams started the gam e in all-out attack mode, with each side looking to get the first points.South Africa were the first to have a scoring opportunity but Morne Steyn pushed his drop goal attempt just wide of the post.
Patrick Lambie also missed a penalty for the Springboks but it did not take long for the South Africans to score, as Bryan Habana used all his experience to avoid the touch line and finished a well worked try.
This was a lead that the Springboks did not relinquish for the rest of the game, but this was not down to a lack of trying from the Samoans as they continued hit the South Africans hard in the tackle situation and looked for openings in their defence.
South Africa increased their lead through the boot of Morne Steyn and a monstrous 60m penalty from Francois Steyn, which took them in to a 13-0 lead at half-time.
Samoa came out in the second half with the same attacking ferocity as the first as they battled their way through the South African defensive line, and this attacking onslaught eventually paid off. George Stowers, new signing at the Neath-Swansea Ospreys, made his way over the line to get Samoa a well deserved try. The score was now at 13-5 with Samoa one score away from a losing bonus point.
The Samoans were having the better of the second half as they continued to attack the Springboks, with winger David Lemi slicing his way through the back line to what would have been a superb solo try if it wasn’t for Lambie making a wonderful tackle.
The Springboks fought back after this and took a driving maul over the Samoan try line. It looked to be a try for Bismark Du Plessis, but the video referee could not see the grounding so it could not be given.
This exciting encounter was marred in the last ten minutes by ill-discipline from both teams which resulted in a red card for Samoa. Paul Williams, the Samoan full-back, had a great game up to this point but was red carded for striking Hernrich Brussow in the face, and after speaking to the linesman the referee had no choice but to send Williams off.
However, numbers were levelled when veteran hooker John Smit was awarded a yellow card for a deliberate knock on. The final stages of the game were a nerve –wracking affair for the South Africans as Samoa did not give up on the game, but the Springboks managed to close the match out for a 13-5 victory.
By Jonathan Davies
[Image courtesy of rugbyworldcup_]