Fiji to play South Africa

Fiji gave Wales a great game first time they have beat Wales to get through to the quarter finals against South Africa.

Fiji started with a 25-3 lead in the first half, but Wales, came back hard in the second half with 26 points ,the final fifteen minutes the lead changed three times but Fiji managed to keep the welsh under control.

We are playing USA tomorrow, not much to say about the build up to the game.

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Boks 30 Tonga 25

The boks reached the quarter-finals but needed to bring all their big names off the bench to see off a dangerous Tonga side , thank god they did that was getting a bit worried.

With his much-changed team trailing 10-7 in the second half, Coach Jake White introduced captain John Smit, Francois Steyn, Bryan Habana, Percy Montgomery, Victor Matfield and Juan Smith, to make sure there were no nasty surprises.

We came back in the second half ,great spurt of tries then we relaxed and they came back ,give them credit they did not give up.

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what a thumping

South Africa trashed England 36-0 in the World Cup match in Paris to inflict the defending champion's biggest loss in its 30 games at the sport's biggest event. Thank god had the poms chirping us for too long now





JP Pietersen scored two tries for the Springboks at the Stade de France and Juan Smith got the other. Percy Montgomery kicked 18 points as the 1995 world champion posted its fourth straight win over England, vey nice.


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Schalk Ban update

Schalk Burger has had his World Cup ban, slashed in half - to just two matches.


"This tournament is about playing rugby, not about sitting in tribunals and we are just happy that we can get on with it now," Yeye added.


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England build up to friday

ENGLAND'S defense is falling to pieces after captain Phil Vickery joined golden boy Jonny Wilkinson on the sidelines.

Vickery was suspended for two matches for tripping USA player Paul Emerick in Sunday's lukewarm 28-10.

And Wilkinson's stand-in, Olly Barkley, is also struggling tobe match fit.

Ag shame man

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Schalk Burger not playing against the poms

The Boks have suffered a huge blow after losing Schalk Burger for Friday night's showdown with England.

Burger received a four-match on ban on Tuesday night after being cited for a dangerous tackle on Samoa Junior Polu during the Springboks' victory in Paris on Sunday.

It means Burger, who has 48 hours to appeal the decision, will miss games against England, Tonga and the United States.


That does suck the refs are taking a hard line with English player phil vickery also banned.


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South Africa build up to friday

The Springboks look set to make just one change for their World Cup game against the Poms at the Stade de France on Friday, Francois Steyn replacing injured Jean de Villiers.

However, Coach Jake White said he would not announce the definitive team until at most 48 hours before the match, though; the first team names on the list carry just the one change from the team that walloped Samoa 59-7 on Sunday.

White is playing games with the English on who he is going to select then again the English are using the Wilkinson injury for a bit of confusion.

"There are a couple of things I need to look at. Though the English I must say it is a bit of a shock that (Lawrence) Dallaglio is not in the 22," added White when informed the World Cup winning backrow forward had not been selected.

"They are going to give it all they can."

Steyn has already caught the eye with two stunning drop goals against Australia in a Tri Nations win earlier this year in South Africa but then played a shocking game against the Kiwis.

The only other doubt for South Africa concerns backrow forward Schalk Burger who before Tuesday's team announcement was cited for a dangerous tackle in the Samoa game

"We got a fax telling us that the video showed him tackling a player in the air. But we are confident he will be cleared."

The probable team to face England features two survivors from the 1999 World Cup quarter-final victory over England at the Stade de France - fullback Percy Montgomery - who will equal Joost van der Westhuizen's national record of 89 caps - and prop Os du Randt.

First line-up could be changed.

South Africa
Percy Montgomery;
JP Pietersen
Jaque Fourie
Francois Steyn
Bryan Habana
Butch James
Fourie du Preez
Danie Rossouw
Juan Smith
Schalk Burger;
Victor Matfield
Bakkies Botha
CJ van der Linde
John Smit (capt)
Os du Randt

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SA 59 -7 Samoa

The Boks sent a clear message to the clash by starting off their campaign with a bang a thumping Samoa 59-7.

The pressure on the Springboks was incredible in the first half; the boys were rattled as they had to contend with not only their opponents but with booing throughout the game from a crowd that rooted for Samoa.

Percy Montgomery and Bryan Habana were key in the game, with their impressive finishing. But it was a brilliant team effort that took the Springboks to this bruising win.

Montgomery opened the scoring for the Springboks with a penalty in the second minute, which calmed the nerves slightly. Montgomery slotted another two penalties in the next few minutes to give the Boks a 9-0 lead.

Samoan outside centre Gavin Williams missed a penalty in the 11th minute but he made up for that with a great try just three minutes later when he managed to burst through a handful of Springbok defenders and cruise to the line and made it look so easy ,the guys were fast asleep on that try.

Not even Springbok scrumhalf Fourie du Preez and physical flank Schalk Burger's great tackling skills could stop the brawny centre from creeping to the line.
With the score at 9-7 the Springboks managed to take control of the game and created several opportunities to extend their lead.
Wing Habana scored the team's first try, taking advantage of Samoa's unorganised defence to dot down. This was followed by other try compliments of Montgomery.

But despite leading 21-7 at the break, Springbok coach Jake White would have felt a little disappointed that his team did not score more tries. The Boks wasted at least three chances to score tries in the first half.

Whatever Jones said to the team at half-time worked because Samoa showed far greater determination in the second half. However, their passion was not enough to stop the Boks from taking control plus the springboks are fitter and that showed in the second half.

They hit top form and showed signs of what they are capable of by running in a few great tries. In the first 15 minutes of the second half, the Springboks ran in three, with Habana and Montgomery each scoring their second of the game. Another went to centre Jaque Fourie.

White might have been criticised for bringing former Australian coach Eddie Jones on board as his technical adviser especially from the aussies.


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Jake wants to stay as coach

Jake White wants a second term as the Springbok coach, but he arrived in Paris knowing the South African Rugby Union are not thathappy with him and not towing the line.

Only a Springbok World Cup win will influence an administrative mindset that currently believes the Boks need a change of leadership next year.

White who does not have the support of the provincial presidents spoke to the Cape Argus in an interview that he was committed to remaining in South African rugby and that first prize was to continue with the Springboks.

He said that if there was no incentive to stay in South Africa, he would have to look abroad.


"I have a contract until the end of the year and I will see out that contract, which includes Tests against Wales in November.""I would have liked some kind of commitment with regards to 2008 before leaving for the World Cup, and I am disappointed that no progress was made on what my possible role could be after the World Cup," White said."I am grateful for the support I've had in recent months and everyone has pulled in the direction of the Boks to ensure we are in good shape for the World Cup.

SA Rugby managing director Jonathan Stones told the Cape Argus recently ."We will advertise internationally for the Springbok coaching position by the end of September and Jake has been encouraged to apply.

Nice to see the admin chaps are supporting white allowing him to focus just on the world cup and not his exit plan for after the world cup, drive me nuts.

First game of the world cup 2007

John Smit returns at hooker to captain South Africa almost three months after he injured his hamstring back in June. Apart from the return to fitness of Smit and centre Jean de Villiers, the team has no real surprises. On the wing Pietersen edges the talented Frans Steyn, who finds a spot as impact player on the replacement bench, and an out of sorts Ashwin Willemse.

South Africa's overall record against Samoa: Played 5; Won 5; Points for 257 and points against 58. An average score of 51-12.

Commentators have mentioned Springboks should guard against complacency ahead of their Samoa in Paris on Sunday. The focus of the attention at today's first media conference was the highly anticipated Group A clash next Friday - a match that will in all possibility determine the Group a winners.

The islanders are physical and gave England a run for their money at the 2003 World Cup in Australia.England, on the other hand, takes on the United States before the match against the Springboks.

With injuries no longer a concern, White is expected to unleash the big guns for Sunday's match. Hopefully we do not get too many injuries those Samoan boys are brutal.

South Africa: 15 Percy Montgomery, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Butch James, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Danie Rossouw, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 John Smit (c), 1 Os du Randt. Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 BJ Botha, 18 Johann Muller, 19 Wikus van Heerden, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 André Pretorius, 22 Francois Steyn.

Date: Sunday, 9 September Venue: Parc des Princes, Paris Kick-off: 16:00 (15:00 BST) Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)