A huge weekend of 2011 Rugby World Cup action kicks off at North Harbour Stadium tonight when the Springboks take on Samoa in what should be a cracking contest. Join us from the commencement at 5.30pm for live scores and a blog of all the action.
A tough draw and conservative tactics against the Welsh have cruelled the Samoans’ quarter-final hopes, and they need a miracle to progress now.
More specifically, they need to take all five points from the match tonight against an ominous-looking Springboks unit, and ensure that their South African opponents do not gain a bonus point.
The Springboks will use the match to continue to build on their impressive form so far this tournament, and the Samoans will have great difficulty in breaching a defence that has yielded a measly 19 points in three matches.
Samoa used a strong forward pack against Fiji last Sunday to great success but it won’t be the case here against a dominant Springboks pack.
If this does become a battle up front it will not be pretty for Samoa, and territorial advantage gained from the boots of Morne and Frans Steyn will make them pay.
Apart from Bakkies Botha, Springboks coach Peter de Villiers has a full squad to choose from and has made seven changes from the team who faced Namibia, with lock Victor Matfield returning to lead the team, while John Smit has been rested.
Brothers Bismarck and Jannie du Plessis and Tendai Mtawarira come in to a new-look front row, while JP Pietersen and Fourie du Preez are both recalled into the backline.
Samoan coach Titimaea Tafua has retained the nucleus of the starting XV that beat Fiji 27-7, making only three changes with Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu and David Lemi coming in for their first starts of the tournament.
Tafua has given an indication to the way the Samoans will approach tonight’s match by naming five forwards, including three front rowers, on the bench.
A solid forward pack led by inspirational skipper Mahonri Schwalger has provided the foundations for Samoa’s success in this tournament, but it could prove to be a dangerous ploy against a battle-hardened Springboks unit.
The South African pack will simply not lose in a battle of wills and if Samoa’s discipline begins to waver as a result, the deadly-accurate Morne Steyn will punish them severely.
The man mountain that is Alesana Tuilagi has been starved of legitimate opportunities in this tournament so far but could come into his own if Samoa choose to throw the ball around a little and try to expose the Springboks out wide.
But both sides come into this one looking for a win that would take them into the quarter-finals, so expect both sides to be up for some bruising rugby.
A big win here for Samoa would be a massive upset that would shock the tournament to its core, but sport has a habit of throwing up the unexpected.
Can it happen? Or will the defending champions continue to slowly build toward a quarter-final against the Wallabies?
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Seiran
Guest
That's one way to look at the match Nicksa. From my point of view, the Boks should have been getting hammered by the ref from the first 5 minutes of the match, as all they seemed to be doing from the get-go was lying all over the ball, not releasing the tackled player, and hands on the ball in nearly every ruck. Can you also please tell me when the last time was, when you thought the Boks looked 'deadly'? Which test? It can't be against the minnows in this WC surely? They were rubbish in this years 3N and only marginaly better in last years. Sure, if the Boks come out with all guns blazing, such as England in 2007 against the wallabies, then they could smash the wallabies right off the field. But in the same world of 'what if's', if the Wallabies come out and play like they last did against the AB's in Brisbane, then the Boks don't stand a chance. Im basing my call of the performances of last few years in Wallaby/Boks tests. The Wallabies have won more of these tests and have generally played much better in these tests than the Boks.
Sprigs
Guest
They'll need it after that narrow escape.
Ben S
Roar Guru
'Give it a break Ben. The Boks beat up the much vaunted Samoan pack in the first 40' Much vaunted by whom, SA fans after the event? When did anybody say prior to the game that Samoa would have a strong scrum, lineout and breakdeown? Grow up, child.
kovana
Guest
Had a huge rant in my head. Forget it. Good luck bokkes.
mother teresa
Guest
also there is a fine line between passion and vigour; and provocation and niggle for 80 mins. the samoans last stand was predictable and understandable with feelings spilling over owing to their complaints of second rate treatment.add in their fan base and you have the multiplier effect. clearly the taking out of players past the ball and holding players off the ball not to mention dubious tackles meant this game could spill over at any time.because bok were not sucked into similar retaliatory measures says more about finals than discipline. very clearly the referees need to set the tone earlier ;not get to red card stage and an EVENER with smit. apart from that congrats to samoans lets give them a level playing field next rwc.
p.Tah
Guest
Flip a coin: heads Wallabies win, tails the Boks lose...
Osama bin Lockie
Guest
I saw a lot of Saffas offside at the breakdown. Standing off the ruck and grappling defenders as they tried to reach the ball carrier. Samoa simply outmuscled the Saffas in the breakdowns. I'm not sure the Wobblies can muscle up the same way though.
Osama bin Lockie
Guest
"Brussow is far better than both those guys', better actor certainly.
SA
Guest
Hahaha what if, Habana was lucky, what if the Samoan body went in a different direction, should have lost to Wales, soooo lucky in this world cup. This has to be the most laughable post I have had the privilege of reading on this site ;) one fact though, South Africa has won all its pool games, top of its group. South Africa has showed attacking flair and gritty tight non flash rugby. South Africans care about winning very different from Australians who only think there is one style to play rugby, and if that is not played then it’s boring or the team was just "lucky" to win.
Johnno
Guest
Well booka i just think south afirca have ridden there luck this tournament. SOme of that desperate cover defence that Scalk burger did tonight was just laws of physics tonight, miracle defence, and brian habana was very lucky tonight to not to step into touch, that desperate defensive tackle by burger ot stop the I/C if that ssmaoan body movement went a different direction it could of been different. ANd against Wales the books should of lost wales actually got a conversation and the touch judge could not tell, and replays showed otherwise, talk about luck, and tonight the pressure was on Samoa all the burden of bonus points issues.
bokka
Guest
"Samoa could of won" "Namibia could of won" "Wales could of won" "Fiji could of won" ... but they didn't.
Johnno
Guest
Samoa could of won they had all the pressure this match. If it was simply best team wins, no bonus pouts like a true knockout match Samoa could of won. They had to play risky rugby tonight, and th eventual pressure playing on there mind having to win by 8 points all th eventual pressure on them. SOuth africa simply had to turn up play there natural game and win not be burdened by issues like bonus points. Italy on sunday will be much less burdened by bonus points as no losing team has picked up 2 bonus potions in a match. I am not a fan of the bonus point system it creates unnatural panic rugby. If samoa picked the bonus point up against Fiji they would of been much less mentally burdened, plus only 5 days rest compared to boks 7.
ivan
Guest
Give it a break Ben. The Boks beat up the much vaunted Samoan pack in the first 40, and naturally geared down thereafter. Samoa threw evverything including the sink and cat basket at them naturally since they knew this was their last match. Aussie pack would have fallen to these samoans. As for Springbok fans - we like to win, whether its by 1 or 50. We don't care about looking good in the process. We like win an arm wrestle, not a beauty pagent. Go cry somewhere else. When the boks roll the aussies you're going to have some other critticism again. i
bokka
Guest
Ben, don't confuse lack of criticism with chest beating. Because most Bokke fans would prefer to congratulate our teams win than to go into a frenzied meltdown, sack the players, sack the coach, blame the ref, blame the rain, Italy better beat the team we couldn't beat .. blah blah as per Australian supporter form, please don't take that as our acceptance of a complete performance, because obviously it wasn't. But hey, we get another chance next week to chest thump, as do you.
Ben S
Roar Guru
Only Springbok fans could be chest thumping after a game like that.
ivan
Guest
You sound like a scared little Aussie. Brussow is far better than both those guys, Samoa were tough - yet got monstered. The Wallabies will not match this bok pack. Game on
Davo
Guest
Is there a Sth African equivalent of the Oscars? Broussow deserves one. What a dive after getting an open handed push from Paul Williams. And people think this guy is the match of McCaw and Pocock ? Please.....
Outplayed
Guest
Samoa played really hard and dirty and that does not win a game. The ref allowed a lot of Samoan faults through, entering in the side of the rucks and going in off their feet. But at the end of the day the score says it all. If the game by Samoa was clean and skillfull they would have won. The Boks also had some unfair calls so no point complaining. Practice for the next one!
Nashi
Guest
Samoa 5 line breaks, Boks 1 Samoa 15 off loads, Boks 9 Samoa 16 missed tackles, Boks 38 If that's cruising I'd hate to see the stats of a team that really struggles. Having said all that, the Boks won, mostly on the back of penalties. So pretty much what one would expect of RWC. But other teams will put away a side that gives up so much at the advantage line. PdV should be a worried man after that performance knowing that his next game is now against the wobblies.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
The Boks were never rattled. Samoa's performance is getting overrated as is the game. Both sides were poor on attack.