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Samoa has shaken, stirred and exposed chinks in South Africa’s armour but the Springboks still emerged unbeaten from the World Cup’s pool of death on Friday night.
A hard-fought 13-5 victory at Auckland’s North Harbour Stadium locked up top spot – and a likely quarter-final against the Wallabies – for South Africa.
The Springboks survived a second-half Samoan onslaught by repelling the relentless Polynesians who dominated play after trailing 13-0 at half-time.
Barring Fiji springing a 40-point upset of Wales on Sunday, the result means Samoa must pack their bags but they will know they scared the life out of the defending champions.
The highly-physical Samoans succeeded in finding defensive weakness in the Springboks midfield armour, doing Australia a favour ahead of the probable cut-throat heavyweight clash in Wellington on Sunday week.
South Africa controlled the match in the first half but they lost try-scoring winger Bryan Habana (thigh) and all their tournament momentum after the break.
Samoan No.8 George Stowers burrowed over after a slick backline scrum move in the 50th minute, and then the underdogs continued to pressure and pierce the Boks defensive line.
They were missing tackles, losing bread-and-butter lineouts and when the pressure was applied sharpshooter Morne Steyn muffed his first goal kick in 14 attempts.
Meanwhile, inside centre Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu was making a mockery of the Boks midfield defence.
Samoa’s best chance came with 12 minutes to go but electric winger David Lemi, starting his first match of the tournament, was brought down with a brilliant try-saver by young fullback Pat Lambie.
The possible upset was virtually killed off 60 seconds later when fullback Paul Williams was controversially sent off for a scuffle and push on Heinrich Brussow.
The drama continued when Boks captain John Smit, who had just come off the bench, was yellow-carded for a professional foul in his record-equalling World Cup appearance.
“It was very tough,” said stand-in skipper Victor Matfield.
“The first half we played all right but in the second half we went to sleep and the Samoans came out with a lot of heart.”
Only an Italy upset over Ireland on Sunday will allow the Wallabies, who play Russia on Saturday, to top pool C and avoid South Africa in the quarter-finals.
It won’t just be the Australians barracking for Italy with Boks flanker Schalk Burger admitting he was hoping to avoid the Wallabies.
“We’ll be rooting for the Italians to beat Ireland,” Burger said.
“But, either way, we have come through a tough pool, which has us well prepared.”
Australia, the Tri-Nations champions, do have the wood over the Springboks in the past two seasons with five wins from their last six encounters.
South Africa coach Peter de Villiers described the difficult North Harbour clash a perfect warm-up for the knockout stages.
“It was a great preparation for us, it’s just great to come through it,” de Villiers said.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.