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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