RUGBY WORLD CUP: South Africa v Samoa

 

30.09.2011

Venue:North Harbour Satdium

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

Preview
My gut feeling after watching South Africa both live and on TV is they are the ones I would be, along with the All Blacks. most afraid of leading up to the quarter finals.

Having said that South Africa have to overcome Samoa at North Harbour Stadium tonight. Both teams will have a huge amount of support; North Harbour is home to thousands of ex pat South Africans, and of course Auckland is home to a huge island population. I’d expect it to be a sell out stadium.

Samoa will be very competitive until late in the second half. The ruthless South Africans will then up their game and leave Samoa in their wake.

Veteran Victor Matfield will lead South Africa.

Last Five Encounters
09.09.2007 South Africa 59-7 in Paris (World Cup, Pool A)
09.06.2007 South Africa 35-8 in Johannesburg
01.11.2003 South Africa 60-10 in Brisbane (World Cup, Pool D)
06.07.2002 South Africa 60-18 in Pretoria
10.06.1995 South Africa 42-14 in Johannesburg (World Cup, Quarter final)

Samoa are yet to win a test against South Africa. Their first encounter was in April 1995, South Africa winning 60-8.

South Africa This Cup
11.09.2011 v Wales W 17-16 in Wellington
17.09.2011 v Fiji W 49-3 in Wellington
22.09.2011 v Namibia W 87-0 in Albany

Samoa This Cup
14.09.2011 v Namibia W 49-12 in Rotorua
18.09.2011 v Wales L 10-17 in Hamilton
25.09.2011 v Fiji W 27-7 in Auckland

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-South Africa 1st, Samoa 10th

IRB Ranking Points
South Africa 86.71, Samoa 75.81

Prediction: South Africa by 25 points

Teams

Samoa
15 Paul Williams, 14 David Lemi, 13 Seilala Mapusua, 12 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 George Stowers, 7 Maurie Faasavalu, 6 Taiasina Tuifua, 5 Kane Thompson, 4 Daniel Leo, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, Capt. 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Replacements
16 Ole Avei, 17 Anthony Perenise, 18 Logovi'i Mulipola, 19 Ofisa Treviranus, 20 Filipo Lavea Levi, 21 Junior Poluleuligaga, 22 George Pisi.
Head Coach: Titimaea Tafua

South Africa
15 Patrick  Lambie, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Frans Steyn,
11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie Du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies,
7 Schalk Burger, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Victor Matfield,Capt. 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Jannie Du Plessis, 2 Bismarck Du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements
16 John Smit, 17 Gurthrö Steenkamp, 18 CJ van der Linde, 19 Willem Alberts, 20 Francois Louw, 21 Francois Hougaard, 22 Jean De Villiers.
Head Coach: Pieter de Villiers