LONDON – A little bit more balance was restored to the rugby world after a hungry South Africa accounted for a fired up Samoan side 46-6 at Villa Park in Birmingham on Saturday.
Samoa was always going to be up against it as the Springboks looked to recover from their shock loss to Japan last week.
The Springboks meant business from the outset as it was a much improved performance from their pack as they looked as urgent and as hungry as ever.
With the boot of pivot Handre Pollard, a hat trick of tries to JP Pietersen and a try each to Schalk Burger, Schalk Brits and Bryan Habana, South Africa got their noses ahead early and never looked like being chased down.
Burger was huge at 7 as was Francois Louw at 6 as they attacked at will and got ascendency at the break down, looking far more comfortable to play the kind of game South Africa is used to playing.
At times, the Springboks slowed it down in mauls and at others, quickened the game by spreading it wide and Samoa struggled to keep up. While they didn’t play particularly poorly, Samoa failed to execute the basics and it told on their inability to create momentum and keep it.
Despite recording the bonus point victory, there will be a few worries for Springboks Coach Heyneke Meyer who might be troubled by potential injuries to veterans Victor Matfield and Jean de Villiers.